MOTindex

Common Volvo MOT failures

Based on 56 Volvo tests on MOTindex carrying an official DVSA defect code, so every category below is counted from real failures rather than estimated.

Full Volvo MOT data, pass rate and models →

Real DVSA defect codes

Every category comes from the official MOT Inspection Manual section code DVSA attaches to each defect, not guessed from keywords.

Choose a make or model

Filter the chart below to one make or one specific model, and it updates without leaving the page.

Grows more accurate over time

Built from tests recorded on MOTindex, so the picture firms up as more vehicles are checked here.

See the breakdown for one make or model

Defaults to every make checked on MOTindex.

Where MOT tests find problems: Volvo

Axles, wheels, tyres and suspension 24 tests (42.9%)
Brakes 12 tests (21.4%)
Visibility 6 tests (10.7%)
Body, structure and attachments 6 tests (10.7%)
Nuisance (emissions and noise) 6 tests (10.7%)
Steering 3 tests (5.4%)
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment 3 tests (5.4%)
Other equipment 1 test (1.8%)

A test can find problems in more than one category, so the figures above do not sum to 100%. Each percentage is the share of classifiable tests that found at least one defect in that category. Based on 56 classifiable tests for Volvo.

View the full Volvo page →

What Volvo failures look like

56 Volvo tests recorded on MOTindex carry the manual reference DVSA attaches to each defect. The most frequent problems were with axles, wheels, tyres and suspension on 24 tests (42.9%), with brakes on 12 tests (21.4%) and with visibility on 6 tests (10.7%). A test can fail on more than one thing, and an MOT can be failed on one defect while another is only advised, so these counts do not add up to the number of tests.

Narrowed down from the categories to the individual defects themselves, three come up on more than one test:

  • Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge

    MOT inspection manual reference 5.2.3, in axles, wheels, tyres and suspension

    Recorded on 17 of the 56 tests: 2 failures and 15 advisories or minors.

  • Brake pad(s) wearing thin

    MOT inspection manual reference 1.1.13, in brakes

    Recorded on 11 of the 56 tests: 3 failures and 8 advisories or minors.

  • Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated Split

    MOT inspection manual reference 5.3.4, in axles, wheels, tyres and suspension

    Recorded on 9 of the 56 tests: one failure and 8 advisories or minors.

The same breakdown for individual Volvo models: Volvo XC90 (44 tests), Volvo XC60 (12 tests).

Clauses are read from the manual reference at the end of every defect on the cached test records, and a defect shown here has to appear on at least two of them before it is named. The site-wide breakdown explains how that works and compares every make.