Volvo S60 (2008)
2008 Volvo S60
CarHunch analysed 695 real MOT records for the 2008 Volvo S60. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2008 Volvo S60 passes its MOT first time in 75.9% of cases, which is 4 points below the UK average and a genuine reliability concern—but the real warning sign is that 40.4% of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, well above acceptable thresholds for a buyer considering one. Diesel and petrol variants perform nearly identically (75.4% vs 76.9% pass rates), so fuel type won't be your deciding factor here.
These S60s are averaging 94,000 miles, which is reasonable for their age, yet they're racking up an average of 3.89 failures per test and 18.1 advisories, indicating worn componentry across the board. If you're seriously interested in a 2008 S60, budget for regular suspension and electrical work, obtain a full service history, and have a trusted mechanic inspect the brakes, steering, and cooling system before you commit.
What to check before buying a 2008 Volvo S60
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 40.4% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Volvo S60
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (66%) | 462 | 75.4% | 3.97 |
| Petrol (33%) | 231 | 76.9% | 3.73 |
| LPG (0%) | 2 | 67.4% | 4.5 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2008 Volvo S60 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2008 Volvo S60 vehicles fall between 76,488 and 120,051 miles.
2008 Volvo S60 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 288 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (45% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2008 Volvo S60
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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55%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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54.9%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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45.6%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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39.9%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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36.8%
Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components
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31.8%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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31.1%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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30.1%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2008. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Volvo S60?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.