2016 Volvo XC60 — MOT failures & pass rate
85,304 MOT tests on the 2016 Volvo XC60 are in this dataset, and 85.9% of them passed. That is effectively the same as mid-size SUVs of a similar age (13.8% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (5.5%) and tyres (5.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are brake pads, coil spring and tread depth — brake pads alone was recorded 2,981 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 7.9% in the 0-30k band and 20.0% in the 150k+ band, a 12.1-point spread — more than double.
The petrol cars hold up better: 11.1% fail against 14.1% for diesel, a 3.0-point gap across 85,304 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 25.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 10.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 16.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 5.5% | 4,735 |
| 2 | Tyres | 5.0% | 4,238 |
| 3 | Suspension | 3.7% | 3,136 |
| 4 | Brakes | 3.6% | 3,072 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.8% | 1,498 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.2% | 988 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake pads | 2,981 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 2,890 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 2,577 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 1,613 |
| 5 | Side repeaters | 1,228 |
| 6 | Wipers | 1,129 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 25.6% | 21,861 |
| 2 | Brakes | 19.1% | 16,264 |
| 3 | Other defects | 8.2% | 7,028 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 5.6% | 4,751 |
| 5 | Suspension | 5.0% | 4,271 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.9% | 2,501 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 4,684 | 7.9% |
| 30-60k | 31,769 | 11.3% |
| 60-90k | 30,922 | 15.3% |
| 90-120k | 13,109 | 17.8% |
| 120-150k | 3,663 | 20.8% |
| 150k+ | 1,121 | 20.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 84,592 | 14.1% |
| Petrol | 712 | 11.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 16,486 | 10.6% |
| 2022 | 16,830 | 12.7% |
| 2023 | 17,200 | 14.7% |
| 2024 | 17,319 | 15.7% |
| 2025 | 17,469 | 16.7% |
What to check before buying a 2016 XC60
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 5.5% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (5.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (5.0% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Suspension (3.7% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2016 Volvo XC60s pass their MOT?
85.9% of the 85,304 2016 Volvo XC60 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Volvo XC60?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 5.5% of tests, followed by tyres (5.0%).
Does the 2016 XC60 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.9% in the 0-30k band to 20.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 85,304 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.