Volvo reliability: MOT results 2024
Figures updated
Ranked 18 of 52 makes
548,186 Volvo cars aged 3 to 20 had an MOT in 2024, and 25.7% failed first time (UK average 28.5%). Allowing for age and mileage, a Volvo is 12% less likely to fail than the average car of the same age and mileage. At their first MOT, 10.0% failed (UK 12.7%).
Volvo models ranked
| Model | Score | Fail rate | First MOT | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volvo S90 | 144 | 13.2% | 12.5% | 7,460 |
| Volvo XC40 | 140 | 10.0% | 9.0% | 63,770 |
| Volvo S80 | 133 | 30.8% | – | 6,043 |
| Volvo XC60 | 130 | 20.0% | 9.5% | 107,901 |
| Volvo XC70 | 127 | 31.1% | – | 17,120 |
| Volvo S60 | 120 | 28.1% | 9.0% | 18,573 |
| Volvo V60 | 120 | 22.4% | 12.1% | 38,825 |
| Volvo V70 | 119 | 35.3% | – | 32,790 |
| Volvo V90 | 119 | 15.9% | 12.6% | 14,635 |
| Volvo XC90 | 115 | 26.8% | 13.1% | 68,577 |
| Volvo S40 | 100 | 42.7% | – | 16,456 |
| Volvo C30 | 99 | 41.4% | – | 22,666 |
| Volvo C70 | 98 | 42.2% | – | 6,805 |
| Volvo V40 | 96 | 26.6% | – | 96,574 |
| Volvo V50 | 96 | 45.3% | – | 29,893 |
Volvo MOT failure rate by age
What Volvo cars fail on
| Area | Tests failing | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 8.6% | ▼ 25% less often |
| Suspension | 7.2% | ▼ 21% less often |
| Tyres | 7.1% | About average |
| Brakes | 6.6% | About average |
| Visibility | 3.0% | ▼ 37% less often |
| Body and structure | 2.7% | ▼ 24% less often |
| Exhaust and emissions | 2.0% | ▼ 40% less often |
| Steering | 2.0% | About average |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.6% | ▼ 44% less often |
| Wheels | 0.3% | ▼ 28% less often |
Most common Volvo MOT faults
- Coil spring: fractured or broken2.8% of tests
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.6% of tests
- Position lamp: not working2.4% of tests
- Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.3% of tests
- Condition: has ply or cords exposed2.0% of tests
- Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.8% of tests
Compare Volvo cars with their rivals
- Land Rover Discovery vs Volvo XC60
- Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs Volvo XC60
- Volvo XC60 vs Audi Q5
- Volvo XC60 vs BMW X3
- Volvo XC60 vs Land Rover Range Rover
- Volvo XC60 vs BMW X5
- Volvo XC60 vs Mercedes-Benz GLC
- Nissan Juke vs Volvo EX30
- Vauxhall Mokka vs Volvo EX30
- Renault Captur vs Volvo EX30
- Peugeot 2008 vs Volvo EX30
- MINI Countryman vs Volvo EX30
- Fiat 600 vs Volvo EX30
- Kia EV3 vs Volvo EX30
- Vauxhall Frontera vs Volvo EX30
New Volvo models: Volvo EX30
Frequently asked questions
›Are Volvo cars reliable?
By MOT results, Volvo ranks 18 of 52 makes in 2024, with a reliability score of 113 (100 is average for the same age and mileage). 25.7% of Volvo cars failed their MOT first time.
›What is the most reliable Volvo?
The Volvo S90, with a score of 144. The lowest-scoring is the V50 (96).
›What do Volvo cars fail their MOT on?
Tyres: 7.1% of Volvo MOTs failed on it, 1.0 times the rate for similar cars. The single most common fault was “Coil spring: fractured or broken”.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2024, Open Government Licence v3.0. How we calculate the league.