2012 Volvo V60 MOT pass rate: 72.6% (13,476 tests)
Is the 2012 V60 getting worse?
Pass rate of 2012-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 73.6% +1.3 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 71.2% +0.2 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 73.0% +2.7 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2012 V60
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 1,809 | 22.9% |
| 2 | Tyres | 1,776 | 22.5% |
| 3 | Brakes | 1,301 | 16.5% |
| 4 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 1,065 | 13.5% |
| 5 | Steering | 855 | 10.8% |
| 6 | Visibility | 517 | 6.6% |
All V60 years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 7,434 | 73.5% | +4.4 pts | 120,952 |
| 2012 (this page) | 13,476 | 72.6% | +1.4 pts | 115,730 |
| 2013 | 10,523 | 75.8% | +2.5 pts | 111,232 |
| 2014 | 10,762 | 77.4% | +1.6 pts | 103,671 |
| 2015 | 9,791 | 80.8% | +2.1 pts | 90,269 |
| 2016 | 11,322 | 81.7% | +0.4 pts | 80,697 |
| 2017 | 9,393 | 81.3% | -2.7 pts | 69,607 |
| 2018 | 11,454 | 86.4% | +0.1 pts | 54,287 |
| 2019 | 10,121 | 87.0% | -1.4 pts | 46,910 |
Weighing up which year to buy? See the full ranking: Volvo V60 years to avoid.
- Free MOT history checkThe exact car’s failures, advisories and mileage trail — sellers can’t edit it
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FAQs
Is a 2012 Volvo V60 reliable?
2012-registered examples passed 72.6% of their MOT tests (13,476 tests, 2023–2025), +1.4 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 14 years old with a median 115,730 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2012 V60?
The median tested example shows 115,730 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Should I buy the petrol or diesel 2012 V60?
In this cohort petrols pass 80.2% of tests against 72.2% for diesels. Mileage and use can explain part of that gap, so treat it as a reason to inspect DPF and emissions history, not a fuel-type verdict.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.