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Volvo S60 Mk1 (2001-2009) reliability

At a glance

Volvo S60 Mk1 built around 2005: about average at the MOT

Volvo S60 Mk1 models built around 2005 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Looking at a Volvo S60 Mk1?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

30% of MOT tests on Volvo S60 Mk1 models built around 2005 ended in a fail (retests included), against 29% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Volvo S60 Mk1 models built around 2005 involves the suspension.

Volvo S60 Mk1
No reliability rating: not enough tests to rate2001-2009SaloonPETROL / DIESEL

Based on 6,894 tests of S60 models registered 2001-2009.

About 1 in 10 S60 Mk1 MOTs (10.2%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2005 (20 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 1,403 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 15 S60 Mk1 MOTs (7.3%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2005 (20 years old).

Based on 1,403 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

Mk1 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
21828.0%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
52828.8%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
84026.7%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
1,21128.7%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
1,40329.6%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
1,15532.5%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
85529.8%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
49330.2%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
19128.3%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 21 years old.

How the S60 Mk1 compares

At each age below, see how the S60 Mk1 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 13,804 tests across 9 Volvo models, built around 2005 (20 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateVolvo average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
21828.0%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
52828.8%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
84026.7%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
1,21128.7%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
1,40329.6%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
1,15532.5%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
85529.8%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
49330.2%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
19128.3%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension springs

Worth checking

Check ride height is even side-to-side and look for cracked or rusted coils.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

Other saloons to compare

Other saloons, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the S60 Mk1.

  1. 1

    Lexus IS

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    28.9%

    No clear edge over the Volvo S60 Mk1 on these figures.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    1,334 MOT tests on cars built around 2005

  2. 2

    Jaguar XJ

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    24.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    11.4%
    Dangerous
    6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    93.8%

    Lower fail rate: 24.7%, against 29.6% for the Volvo S60 Mk1, both built around 2005.

    5 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    1,508 MOT tests on cars built around 2005

  3. 3

    BMW 3 Series

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    26.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    8.9%
    Dangerous
    7.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    89.8%

    Lower fail rate: 26.4%, against 29.6% for the Volvo S60 Mk1, both built around 2005.

    15 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    10,816 MOT tests on cars built around 2005

  4. 4

    Mercedes-Benz E-Class

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    25.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    9.2%
    Dangerous
    7.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    79.9%

    Lower fail rate: 25.5%, against 29.6% for the Volvo S60 Mk1, both built around 2005.

    10 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    3,978 MOT tests on cars built around 2005

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

How many are still registered

76%of all Volvo S60 cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later. This is the whole model, not only this generation.

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · Fewer than typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

58 recalls in all

No recall notices match this build period.

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

What has gone wrong on S60 Mk1 cars built around 2005

The share of diesel cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 268 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
52%
Emissions
30%
Steering
10%
Drivetrain
7%

Wear items

Lighting
62%
Tyres
61%
Brakes
60%
How S60 Mk1 cars have aged

How S60 Mk1 cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%30%131517192123Age at MOTBuilt around 2008, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 28.9% (380 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2008, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 28.5% (369 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2008, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 28.9% (322 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2008, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 29.6% (287 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2008, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 27.4% (241 tests, 2025 data)2008Built around 2007, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 29.1% (742 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2007, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 27.5% (622 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2007, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 29.9% (576 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2007, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 27.6% (478 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2007, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 27.3% (396 tests, 2025 data)2007Built around 2006, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 28.7% (1,218 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2006, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 30.1% (1,107 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2006, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 30.0% (943 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2006, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 28.6% (794 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2006, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 27.4% (647 tests, 2025 data)2006Built around 2005, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 29.6% (1,751 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2005, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 29.6% (1,478 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2005, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 28.9% (1,240 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2005, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 28.6% (1,010 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2005, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 29.6% (845 tests, 2025 data)2005Built around 2004, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 31.3% (1,462 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2004, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 31.3% (1,213 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2004, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 30.3% (1,000 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2004, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 32.6% (816 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2004, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 32.2% (618 tests, 2025 data)2004Built around 2003, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 31.0% (1,305 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2003, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 32.0% (1,060 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2003, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 31.3% (841 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2003, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 30.0% (654 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2003, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 29.2% (511 tests, 2025 data)2003Built around 2002, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 31.7% (938 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2002, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 30.0% (729 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2002, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 30.5% (583 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2002, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 28.2% (425 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2002, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 29.1% (361 tests, 2025 data)2002Built around 2001, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 29.0% (386 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2001, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 26.9% (286 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2001, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 30.1% (269 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2001, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 33.9% (230 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2001, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 28.3% (191 tests, 2025 data)2001
First registered around 2008First registered around 2007First registered around 2006First registered around 2005
How each part holds up as Mk1 cars age

How each part holds up as Mk1 cars age

The share of diesel cars built 2005-2008 that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Rates usually rise with age, but can dip slightly as cars leave the road.

Part of the car18 years19 years20 years
Suspension40%53%52%
Brakes63%64%60%
Emissions22%31%30%
Tyres48%53%61%
Lighting67%75%62%
Drivetrain6%7%7%
BodyworkNo figure1%No figure
Steering4%6%10%
Corrosion4%4%4%

Based on diesel cars in the 2005-2008 build-year band, from 82 to 268 cars at each age.

Mk1 variants compared

S60 Mk1 variants built around 2005

The fail rate for each S60 Mk1 variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Diesel

  • S6029.1%810 tests

Petrol

  • S6030.2%593 tests
All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on Volvo S60 models of this age

This list covers every Volvo S60 built around 2005, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk1 on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    25.2%
    Advisory: 499Fail: 95 (16% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    20.7%
    Advisory: 408Fail: 30 (7% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Coil spring corroded

    13.3%
    Advisory: 321Fail: 7 (2% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    12.1%
    Advisory: 205Fail: 41 (17% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    11.1%
    Advisory: 215Fail: 5 (2% of the times it was found)

Based on 1,403 tests

Looking at a Volvo S60 Mk1?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2005 (20 years old), the Volvo S60 Mk1 (2001-2009) fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 1,403 20-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 6,894 MOT tests on Volvo S60 models first registered between 2001-2009. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.