23.6%
Fluid leak
The vehicle is leaking a fluid — oil, coolant, fuel or hydraulic. A slight seep is common on older cars; a continuous drip is both a road hazard and a sign of something failing.
MOT wording: Oil leak, but not excessive
VolvoUsed-car reliability
How reliable is a used Volvo?
At 7 years old, the average Volvo fails its MOT less often than the average UK car.
MOT fail rate · 7-year-old cars
Volvo15.3%
UK average16.6%
Fails less often than the average 7-year-old car (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)
Where to start
The lowest and highest fail rates in the Volvo range
The Volvo models whose MOT tests at 7 years old most and least often ended in a fail.
Lowest fail rates
- 1
Volvo XC4011.3%fail rate - 2
Volvo S9012.3%fail rate - 3
Volvo XC6013.9%fail rate
Highest fail rates
What actually goes wrong
What breaks on Volvo cars
The most common MOT faults across the Volvo range, in plain English. Models with more MOT tests count for more. The percentage is the share of MOT tests on Volvo cars that recorded that defect.
20.0%
Tyre condition
A tyre is worn, cut, damaged or otherwise not fit for the road. Tyres are the only thing connecting the car to the road, so this is always worth taking seriously.
MOT wording: Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge
17.1%
Exhaust system
The exhaust system is leaking, damaged, corroded, or insecure. Exhaust leaks can let harmful fumes into the cabin and increase noise.
MOT wording: Exhaust has a minor leak
13.8%
Brake linings and pads
Brake pads or linings are worn, contaminated, or missing. These are the friction materials that press against the disc or drum to slow the car. When too thin, stopping distances increase.
MOT wording: Brake pads wearing thin
Across all Volvo models; models with more MOT tests count for more.
The whole range
Every Volvo that ranks, in plain English
For each model, one number: the share of its MOT tests at 7 years old that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. Lower is better. The UK average (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%) is shown for reference. Only models with enough MOT data at 7 years old are ranked. The rest sit just below, unranked.
8 models
Volvo XC40
The lowest 7-year fail rate of any Volvo here.
11.3%fail rate at 7 years old
Volvo S90
Among the lower fail rates in the Volvo range at 7 years old.
12.3%fail rate at 7 years old
Volvo XC60
Among the lower fail rates in the Volvo range at 7 years old.
13.9%fail rate at 7 years old
Volvo XC90
Among the lower fail rates in the Volvo range at 7 years old.
14.2%fail rate at 7 years old
Volvo V90
Among the lower fail rates in the Volvo range at 7 years old.
15.3%fail rate at 7 years old
Volvo V60
Above the Volvo average, and at or above the UK average.
16.6%fail rate at 7 years old
Volvo V40
Above the Volvo average, and at or above the UK average.
17.9%fail rate at 7 years old
Volvo S60
Above the Volvo average, and at or above the UK average.
18.2%fail rate at 7 years old
Fail rates are the share of MOT tests on 7-year-old cars ending in a fail, retests included (DVSA MOT results, 2025). UK average across all makes at the same age: 16.6%. How we count fail rates
Not directly comparable with the figures at 7 years old
Shown unranked. These models don’t have enough MOT data at 7 years old yet. They’re either too new (few cars old enough) or too old (few still on the road). Each is shown at the age with the most tests, so the percentages aren’t directly comparable to the list above.
Too new to rankVolvo C40
9.6%fail rate at 3 years old · 1,287 MOT tests
Too new to rankVolvo V90 Cross Country
11.7%fail rate at 5 years old · 708 MOT tests
Too old to rankVolvo XC70
24.5%fail rate at 14 years old · 2,137 MOT tests
Too old to rank
Volvo 700 Series
25.4%fail rate at 25+ years old · 1,001 MOT tests
Too old to rankVolvo S80
26.0%fail rate at 17 years old · 781 MOT tests
Too old to rankVolvo V70
26.2%fail rate at 15 years old · 4,340 MOT tests
Too old to rankVolvo 240
27.2%fail rate at 25+ years old · 1,523 MOT tests
Too old to rankVolvo 900 Series
27.7%fail rate at 25+ years old · 3,675 MOT tests
Too old to rankVolvo 800 Series
28.8%fail rate at 25+ years old · 2,144 MOT tests
Too old to rankVolvo C30
30.4%fail rate at 15 years old · 7,061 MOT tests
Too old to rankVolvo S40
30.7%fail rate at 17 years old · 2,957 MOT tests
Too old to rankVolvo V50
31.5%fail rate at 15 years old · 6,100 MOT tests
Too old to rankVolvo C70
31.8%fail rate at 18 years old · 1,398 MOT tests
Looking at one in particular?
Averages tell you the odds across the range. Enter a number plate to see that car’s own MOT history, its risk rating, and what’s likely to need attention.