2023 Volvo XC60 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2023 Volvo XC60 passed 96.2% of its 611 recorded MOT tests. That is 1.8 percentage points better than mid-size SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 5.5%. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (2.8%) and visibility (1.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, headlamp aim and tread depth — wipers alone was recorded 8 times.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 12.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 2.8% | 17 |
| 2 | Visibility | 1.0% | 6 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 0.7% | 4 |
| 4 | Suspension | 0.3% | 2 |
| 5 | Other defects | 0.2% | 1 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.2% | 1 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 8 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 3 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 3 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 2 |
| 5 | Individual direction indicators | 2 |
| 6 | Headlamp cleaning device | 2 |
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 | 12.1% | 74 |
| 2 | Other defects | 3.6% | 22 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.8% | 17 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.3% | 8 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.5% | 3 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.3% | 2 |
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 | 407 | 2.2% |
| 30-60k | 175 | 7.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 423 | 4.5% |
| Diesel | 168 | 1.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 62 | 1.6% |
| 2025 | 535 | 4.1% |
What to check before buying a 2023 XC60
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 2.8% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (2.8% 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.
- Visibility (1.0% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (0.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£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 2023 Volvo XC60s pass their MOT?
96.2% of the 611 2023 Volvo XC60 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 3.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2023 Volvo XC60?
Tyres, recorded in 2.8% of tests, followed by visibility (1.0%).
Does the 2023 XC60 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 2.2% in the 0-30k band to 7.4% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 611 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.