Volvo

Volvo S60 (2015)

1,509 real MOT outcomes analysed • 85.4% first-time pass rate

2015 Volvo S60

CarHunch analysed 1,509 real MOT records for the 2015 Volvo S60. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2015 Volvo S60 passes its MOT on first attempt 84.9% of the time, which is a solid 4.9 percentage points above the UK average—but the elephant in the room is that 41.5% of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, well above what you'd want to see. This suggests structural or safety issues lurking beneath what looks like decent pass rates, so a pre-purchase inspection by a specialist is essential.

At 71,741 miles median, these nine-year-old saloons show typical wear for their age, yet they're racking up an average of 9.1 advisories per test, indicating accumulating minor issues that need watching. Focus your inspection on the dangerous defect history—ask the seller directly and get a full MOT history print-out to see what's been flagged before you commit.

The 2015 Volvo S60 has a decent first-time pass rate (85.4%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.
First-time pass
85.4%
UK average ~80%
Around average
Dangerous (ever)
41.5%
At least once in MOT history
Check this vehicle
Avg failures / car
1.39
Over 8.4 tests on record
High
Typical mileage
72k
Middle half: 52k–96k
For context
Good baseline reliability. A 85.4% first-time pass rate puts this well above the UK average — it's a well-sorted vehicle in this age bracket.
🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 9.1 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.
🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 1,509 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 1,509 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 52.1%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · …
Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.
Brake wear 37.2%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · …
Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.
Suspension & steering 14.9%
Offside Rear Coil spring corroded · Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded
Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.
Other issues 14.4%
Oil leak, but not excessive · Nearside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt · Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2015.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 1,509 Volvo S60 cars.

UK

Before you buy a 2015 Volvo S60

Based on MOT data from 1,509 vehicles — here's what to check.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. 41.5% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
    Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
  • 🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection ClickMechanic
  • 📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History carVertical Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Diesel (94%) 1,420 85.1% 1.42
Petrol (6%) 89 89.1% 0.91

Colour Breakdown

Based on 53,916 Volvo S60 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Blue 22.9%
12,359
Silver 20.2%
10,875
Black 17.2%
9,295
Grey 11.3%
6,116
Gold 9.1%
4,889
Red 8.4%
4,522
Green 5.4%
2,890
White 3.9%
2,094
Yellow 0.9%
476
Bronze 0.4%
215
Purple 0.3%
173
Maroon 0%
12

Mileage Distribution

Most 2015 Volvo S60 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

71,741
typical
52,453
low mileage
96,260
high mileage

Half of all 2015 Volvo S60 vehicles fall between 52,453 and 96,260 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?
Under 52,453 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.
52,453–96,260 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2015 Volvo S60s sit.
Over 129,951 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2015 Volvo S60 — Still on the Road

Most 2015 Volvo S60s are still being driven.

Strong survival — 1,168 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 82% of the peak.

74 1,168 2017 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2017–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

8.4
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
1.39
Avg failures per vehicle
9.1
Avg advisories per vehicle
Other model years — Volvo S60: All S60 years → Which year to buy? →
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Watch for defects — worth knowing