2012 Volvo V60 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 28,729 MOT tests analysed for the 2012 Volvo V60, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 78.9% was in line with the average for large family cars of a similar age (78.5%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 24.2% in the 150k+ group versus 8.1% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 7.5% | 2,149 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.0% | 2,004 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 6.9% | 1,971 |
| 4 | Brakes | 5.4% | 1,548 |
| 5 | Steering | 4.6% | 1,313 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.4% | 983 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Track rod end | 1,303 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 1,216 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 1,062 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 974 |
| 5 | Shock absorbers | 837 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 673 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 29.1% | 8,364 |
| 2 | Suspension | 22.6% | 6,499 |
| 3 | Brakes | 20.4% | 5,871 |
| 4 | Other defects | 10.6% | 3,050 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 6.3% | 1,824 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.3% | 1,508 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 149 | 8.1% |
| 30-60k | 1,806 | 14.3% |
| 60-90k | 6,531 | 18.9% |
| 90-120k | 9,151 | 21.5% |
| 120-150k | 6,496 | 22.8% |
| 150k+ | 4,591 | 24.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 27,403 | 21.4% |
| Petrol | 1,326 | 16.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,812 | 19.6% |
| 2022 | 5,837 | 20.7% |
| 2023 | 5,836 | 21.2% |
| 2024 | 5,744 | 22.7% |
| 2025 | 5,500 | 21.6% |
What to check before buying a 2012 V60
Before buying a 2012 Volvo V60, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 7.5% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (7.5% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Suspension (7.0% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Lighting & signalling (6.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2012 Volvo V60s pass their MOT?
78.9% of the 28,729 2012 Volvo V60 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Volvo V60?
Tyres, recorded in 7.5% of tests, followed by suspension (7.0%).
Does the 2012 V60 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.1% in the 0-30k band to 24.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 28,729 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.