2015 Volvo S60 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2015 Volvo S60 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2015 Volvo S60 diesel than on all cars registered in 2015.

• Individual direction indicators7.1× usual
  Volvo S60

  5% All 2015 cars

  0.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.3% of all 2015 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.

• Engine warning light2.7× usual
  Volvo S60

  4% All 2015 cars

  1.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 1.5% of all 2015 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.

• Number plate lights1.8× usual
  Volvo S60

  6.2% All 2015 cars

  3.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 1.1% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

• Engine oil leaks1.9× usual
  Volvo S60

  4.8% All 2015 cars

  2.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.1% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.3× usual
  Volvo S60

  3.9% All 2015 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 1% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

Common 2015 Volvo S60 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2015 Volvo S60 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  33% 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.

• Brakes
  24% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  16% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Suspension
  15% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  7% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  5% 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 2015 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 individual direction indicators? (Flagged at MOT 7.1× as often on the 2015 Volvo S60 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the engine warning light? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the 2015 Volvo S60 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2015 Volvo S60 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?