2005 Volvo S60 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2005 Volvo S60 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2005 Volvo S60 diesel than on all cars registered in 2005.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints1.9× usual
  Volvo S60

  19.6% All 2005 cars

  10.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 2.4% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Sidelights1.7× usual
  Volvo S60

  11.4% All 2005 cars

  6.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8%, against 5.7% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Handbrake performance3.9× usual
  Volvo S60

  5.1% All 2005 cars

  1.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.1%, against 1.3% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£300 our estimate

  At the viewing: Pull the handbrake on a slope. It should hold the car within a few clicks.

• Anti-roll bar4.3× usual
  Volvo S60

  2.6% All 2005 cars

  0.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0.1% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

  At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

Common 2005 Volvo S60 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2005 Volvo S60 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  43% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Lights and electrics
  41% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Brakes
  36% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Tyres
  32% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Exhaust and emissions
  11% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  8% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2005 Volvo S60 diesel

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2005 Volvo S60 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the sidelights? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2005 Volvo S60 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the handbrake performance? (Flagged at MOT 3.9× as often on the 2005 Volvo S60 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?