2018 Volvo S60 petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2018 Volvo S60 petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2018 Volvo S60 petrol than on all cars registered in 2018.

• Number plate lights2.9× usual
  Volvo S60

  4% All 2018 cars

  1.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.5% of all 2018 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.

• Wheels2.8× usual
  Volvo S60

  2.2% All 2018 cars

  0.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.2% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

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

Common 2018 Volvo S60 petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2018 Volvo S60 petrol 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
  21% 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
  10% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  3% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Suspension
  3% 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.

• Driveshafts and joints
  2% of testsRough price £60–£350

  At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2018 Volvo S60 petrol

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

1. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the 2018 Volvo S60 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the wheels? (Flagged at MOT 2.8× as often on the 2018 Volvo S60 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?