Volvo S60 reliability, MPG and running costs
Figures updated
The Volvo S60 is a large family car. In 2024 MOT tests it scored 120 for reliability (100 is average), ranking 153 of 442, and 28.1% failed first time against a UK average of 28.5%. Its most common MOT failure is brake pads (2.8% of tests).
Ranked 153 of 442 cars in the 2024 MOT Reliability League, and 3 of 16 large family cars
In 2024, 18,573 Volvo S60s aged 3 to 20 had an MOT and 28.1% failed first time (UK average 28.5%). Taking age and mileage into account, the Volvo S60 is 17% less likely to fail than the average car of the same age and mileage. At the first MOT, at three years old, 9.0% failed (UK 12.7%).
First-time fail rate
28.1%
UK 28.5%
Fail rate at 3 years
9.0%
UK 12.7%
Average miles a year
9,300
Typical age at test: 11 years
Volvo S60 MOT failure rate by age
Most common Volvo S60 MOT faults
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.8% of tests
- Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.5% of tests
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.4% of tests
- Position lamp: not working2.4% of tests
- Condition: has ply or cords exposed2.1% of tests
- Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements1.8% of tests
What the Volvo S60 fails on
| Area | Tests failing | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 10.9% | ▼ 24% less often |
| Brakes | 8.6% | About average |
| Tyres | 7.4% | About average |
| Suspension | 6.1% | ▼ 48% less often |
| Visibility | 3.3% | ▼ 37% less often |
| Steering | 2.9% | About average |
| Body and structure | 2.6% | ▼ 46% less often |
| Exhaust and emissions | 2.2% | ▼ 47% less often |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.6% | ▼ 58% less often |
| Wheels | 0.5% | About average |
What MPG does the Volvo S60 do?
Official economy for the Volvo S60 ranges from 25.4 to 72.4mpg across the 172 versions listed by the Vehicle Certification Agency (2004–2025). A typical petrol version manages 39.6mpg and a typical diesel 67.3mpg. Expect 10–15% less in real-world driving.
Work out a journey's fuel costHow much is road tax on a Volvo S60?
Any Volvo S60 first registered from April 2017 pays the standard rate of £200 a year after its first year (2026/27 rates). A Volvo S60 registered between March 2001 and March 2017 is taxed on its CO2: £20 to £790 a year.
Work out tax for a specific carVolvo S60 specs and running costs
Official figures for 172 versions sold in the UK between 2004 and 2025.
Fuel types
Diesel, Hybrid, Petrol, Plug-in hybrid
Official economy
25.4–72.4 mpg
CO2
17–266 g/km
Power
250–455 PS
| Version | Fuel | Economy | CO2 | Car tax | Company car tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S60 B5 Plus250 PS · 8AT · listed 2025 | Petrol | 38.1 mpg | 168g | £200 | 37% |
| S60 B5 Ultimate250 PS · 8AT · listed 2025 | Petrol | 42.1 mpg | 152g | £200 | 36% |
| S60 B5 AWD Plus250 PS · 8AT-AWD · listed 2025 | Petrol | 39.7 mpg | 162g | £200 | 37% |
| S60 B5 AWD Ultimate250 PS · 8AT-AWD · listed 2025 | Petrol | 39.2 mpg | 163g | £200 | 37% |
| S60 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid T8 Plus AWD455 PS · 8A-AWD · listed 2025 | Plug-in hybrid | 256.5 mpg | 18g | £200 | 10% |
| S60 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid T8 Ultimate AWD455 PS · 8A-AWD · listed 2025 | Plug-in hybrid | 256.5 mpg | 18g | £200 | 10% |
| S60 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid T8 AWD Ultimate455 PS · 8AT-FWD · listed 2025 | Plug-in hybrid | 352.6 mpg | 17g | £200 | 10% |
| S60 B5 Inscription 18" Alloy250 PS · 8AT · listed 2021 | Hybrid | 39.6 mpg | 146g | £200 | – |
| S60 B5 Inscription 19" Alloy250 PS · 8AT · listed 2021 | Hybrid | 39.6 mpg | 146g | £200 | – |
| S60 B5 R-Design 18" Alloy250 PS · 8AT · listed 2021 | Hybrid | 41.5 mpg | 146g | £200 | – |
| S60 B5 R-Design 19" Alloy250 PS · 8AT · listed 2021 | Hybrid | 39.6 mpg | 146g | £200 | – |
| S60 B5 R-Design 20" Alloy250 PS · 8AT · listed 2021 | Hybrid | 39.6 mpg | 146g | £200 | – |
| S60 B5 Inscription250 PS · 8AT · listed 2021 | Hybrid | 42.1 mpg | 152g | £200 | – |
| S60 B5 R-Design250 PS · 8AT · listed 2021 | Hybrid | 42.1 mpg | 152g | £200 | – |
| S60 Recharge T8 Plug-in Hybrid R-Design390 PS · 8A-AWD · listed 2021 | Plug-in hybrid | 156.7 mpg | 34g | £200 | – |
Economy and CO2 are official WLTP figures. Car tax is the yearly rate at current rates for a car first registered in the year listed, before any expensive car supplement. Company car tax is the 2026/27 benefit-in-kind rate. Showing the 15 most recent of 172 versions.
What a Volvo S60 costs to fuel
- petrol, typical official 39.6mpg…
- diesel, typical official 67.3mpg…
Official figures are usually 10–15% better than real-world driving.
Work out a journey in a Volvo S60Buying a used Volvo S60?
Check the MOT history of the exact car: every result, advisory and mileage reading, free.
Compare the Volvo S60 with other large family cars
Reliability, economy, car tax and running costs side by side.
Other Volvo models
Frequently asked questions
›Is the Volvo S60 reliable?
Its MOT record is better than average: the Volvo S60 is 17% less likely to fail than the average car of the same age and mileage, with a reliability score of 120 in our 2024 league (100 is average).
›What are common problems with the Volvo S60?
The most common MOT fault is “Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick”, found in 2.8% of tests.
›What MPG does the Volvo S60 do?
Official economy for the Volvo S60 ranges from 25.4 to 72.4mpg across the 172 versions listed by the Vehicle Certification Agency (2004–2025). A typical petrol version manages 39.6mpg and a typical diesel 67.3mpg. Expect 10–15% less in real-world driving.
›How much is road tax on a Volvo S60?
Any Volvo S60 first registered from April 2017 pays the standard rate of £200 a year after its first year (2026/27 rates). A Volvo S60 registered between March 2001 and March 2017 is taxed on its CO2: £20 to £790 a year.
›How many Volvo S60s fail their MOT?
28.1% of Volvo S60s aged 3 to 20 failed their MOT first time in 2024, and 9.0% failed at their first MOT.
Sources: DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2024, all versions of the Volvo S60 combined (Open Government Licence v3.0); official economy and CO2 from Vehicle Certification Agency data, © Crown copyright. VCA cannot accept liability for its accuracy. How we calculate the league.