Common problems

Volvo common problems by model

16 Volvo models, each at its most tested age: the part area MOT testers fail most often, against all cars of the same age. From 2,261,672 DVSA MOT tests taken 2022 to 2025. Open a model for every area, the items behind it and what to check on a viewing.

MOT data updated 28 September 2026

Volvo models with at least 3 ages of 1,000 or more MOT tests. Fails per 100 MOTs in the most common area.
Model	Age	Tests (n)	Most common fail area	Per 100	All cars
XC60	7 years	53,188	Tyres	5.5	6.0
V40	8 years	61,301	Suspension	9.5	6.1
XC90	3 years	25,668	Tyres	8.0	4.8
XC40	3 years	82,664	Tyres	4.2	4.8
V70	15 years	13,210	Lights and electrics	16.6	19.5
V60	6 years	15,779	Tyres	7.3	5.6
V50	14 years	20,275	Lights and electrics	19.7	18.3
C30	13 years	17,552	Lights and electrics	18.8	17.0
S60	11 years	6,632	Lights and electrics	7.6	13.3
S40	15 years	9,988	Lights and electrics	19.3	19.5
XC70	11 years	6,557	Suspension	9.0	11.6
V90	5 years	13,896	Tyres	6.5	5.1
C70	16 years	4,385	Suspension	18.9	17.1
S90	5 years	7,088	Tyres	5.2	5.1
S80	15 years	2,650	Lights and electrics	14.2	19.5
V40 (before 2012)	21 years	3,179	Lights and electrics	24.8	20.6

For how often each model passes or fails its MOT, see Volvo MOT fail rates by model.

Other makes

All makes

Read this with care. A fail rate is not a measure of build quality. How far cars are driven, how they are used and how well owners maintain them all change it, and wear items such as tyres and brake pads are common fails. Compare a model only with cars of the same age. Methodology and limits.

The all cars figures cover all class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans) tested at the same age.

Looking at a Volvo?

These figures describe the model, not the car in front of you. Found one you might buy? See what the VetTheCar Buying Report covers, or use the tools that work without a registration.

See a sample report Car tools · MOT fail rates by model · Compare models by MOT record

Source

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data, class 4 normal MOT tests, 2022 to 2025. MOT data updated 28 September 2026.

Not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. How we calculate these figures · Data sources