2017 Volvo V60 petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2017 Volvo V60 petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2017 Volvo V60 petrol than on all cars registered in 2017.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints3.6× usual
  Volvo V60

  4% All 2017 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 0.6% of all 2017 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.

• Number plate lights2.4× usual
  Volvo V60

  4.7% All 2017 cars

  2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.6% of all 2017 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.

• Number plates2.3× usual
  Volvo V60

  3.5% All 2017 cars

  1.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.2% of all 2017 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.

• Wheels2.7× usual
  Volvo V60

  2.4% All 2017 cars

  0.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.3% of all 2017 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 2017 Volvo V60 petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2017 Volvo V60 petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  31% 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
  20% 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.

• Suspension
  6% 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
  4% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  4% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Known faults on the 2017 Volvo V60 petrol

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.

• Engine fire recalls

  All engines

  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.

  Source: What Car?: used Volvo V60 (2010-2018) reliability

• Gearbox oil every three years

  Automatic

  The automatic gearbox needs its fluid changed every three years.

  At the viewing: Check the paperwork for gearbox oil changes.

  Source: What Car?: used Volvo V60 (2010-2018) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2017 Volvo V60 petrol

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

1. Have the fire-risk recalls been done?
2. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.6× as often on the 2017 Volvo V60 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2017 Volvo V60 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the number plates? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2017 Volvo V60 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?