2021 Volvo XC60 — MOT failures & pass rate
21,267 MOT tests on the 2021 Volvo XC60 are in this dataset, and 92.6% of them passed. That is effectively the same as mid-size SUVs of a similar age (8.1% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.7%) and lighting & signalling (2.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp cleaning device, wipers and tread depth — headlamp cleaning device alone was recorded 407 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2021 XC60 fails 6.1% of the time in the 0-30k band and 5.7% at 120-150k, a spread of only 0.4 points.
Fuel type barely separates them — diesel fails 7.3% of the time against 7.5% for hybrid.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 21.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 3.2% of tests failed in 2022 against 7.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.7% | 996 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 2.0% | 424 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.8% | 391 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.5% | 105 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.2% | 43 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.2% | 34 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp cleaning device | 407 |
| 2 | Wipers | 349 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 285 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 119 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 101 |
| 6 | Washers | 74 |
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 | 21.6% | 4,591 |
| 2 | Brakes | 6.1% | 1,295 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.9% | 1,247 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.3% | 704 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.7% | 351 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.3% | 64 |
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 | 8,467 | 6.1% |
| 30-60k | 11,054 | 8.2% |
| 60-90k | 1,502 | 9.6% |
| 90-120k | 204 | 6.4% |
| 120-150k | 35 | 5.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 14,565 | 7.5% |
| Diesel | 6,616 | 7.3% |
| Petrol | 86 | 8.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 31 | 3.2% |
| 2023 | 251 | 6.8% |
| 2024 | 10,411 | 7.2% |
| 2025 | 10,548 | 7.8% |
What to check before buying a 2021 XC60
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 4.7% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (4.7% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (2.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (1.8% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
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 2021 Volvo XC60s pass their MOT?
92.6% of the 21,267 2021 Volvo XC60 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Volvo XC60?
Tyres, recorded in 4.7% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (2.0%).
Does the 2021 XC60 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.1% in the 0-30k band to 5.7% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 21,267 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.