2013 Volvo V60 diesel: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the diesel Volvo V60 first registered in 2013 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 10,122 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
What goes wrong more than usual on a 2013 Volvo V60 diesel?
Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2013 Volvo V60 diesel than on all cars registered in 2013.
- Coil springs1.6× usualVolvo V6012.1% All 2013 cars7.5%
Failed outright at MOT: 1.4%, against 3.7% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.
- Track rod ends1.7× usualVolvo V607.4% All 2013 cars4.3%
Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 2.2% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.
Exhaust system: 0.2% here, against 4.1% of all 2013 cars. Rigid brake pipes: 0.4% here, against 4.1% of all 2013 cars.
Common 2013 Volvo V60 diesel MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2013 Volvo V60 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Tyres36% 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.
- Suspension30% 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.
- Brakes25% 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 electrics15% 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 mirrors7% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
- Seats and seatbelts3% of testsRough price £80–£250
At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.
Known faults on the 2013 Volvo V60 diesel
Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.
- All engines
Engine fire recalls
About 70,000 UK 2.0 diesels are recalled for a fire risk, five-cylinder engines for fuel lines that could leak, cars built July 2010 to April 2015 for a coolant leak that could start a fire, and 2015–16 cars for a cracked fuel hose.
At the viewing: Ask a Volvo dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.
- Built 2010 to 2016
Parking brake and steering recalls
On manuals with stop-start built Dec 2010 to Feb 2015 the parking brake could release, and cars built Jan 2015 to Feb 2016 could lose power steering through a software fault.
At the viewing: Ask for proof the updates were done.
- Diesel
EGR faults (D4) and particulate filter
D4 diesels can have EGR faults and go into limp mode, and early diesels can clog their particulate filter.
At the viewing: Watch for the engine light and lost power.
- Automatic
Gearbox oil every three years
The automatic gearbox needs its fluid changed every three years.
At the viewing: Check the paperwork for gearbox oil changes.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2013 Volvo V60 diesel
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Have the fire-risk recalls been done?
- Have the parking brake and steering updates been done?
- Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2013 Volvo V60 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2013 Volvo V60 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a Volvo V60?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Other years
Every year of the Volvo V60 compared
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2025 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2024 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2023 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2022 | 1,518 | Tyres 28% |
| 2021 | 7,278 | Tyres 29% |
| 2020 | 8,274 | Tyres 28% |
| 2019 | 13,683 | Tyres 28% |
| 2018 | 11,512 | Tyres 29% |
| 2017 | 9,434 | Tyres 33% |
| 2016 | 11,371 | Tyres 33% |
| 2015 | 9,828 | Tyres 34% |
| 2014 | 10,798 | Tyres 35% |
| 2012 | 13,547 | Tyres 36% |
| 2011 | 7,467 | Tyres 36% |
| 2010 | 697 | Tyres 39% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Volvo V60 cars first registered in 2013. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score