How reliable is the Volvo S60?
Owner-reported reliability data: inspection results, typical mileage, and the most common failures.
The Volvo S60 passes first-time inspections at roughly the European average. The most commonly reported issues are tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage. Typical mileage by age and a year-by-year breakdown of reliability are shown below. All figures are owner-reported real-world data, not a marketing rating.
Average reliability
Based on 4,560 inspection tests. First-time pass rate: 77.4%.
Volvo S60 reliability by year
How the Volvo S60 performs at first-time inspection, broken down by the year cohort. Empty cells mean we don't have enough owner-reported data for that year yet.
| Year cohort | Pass rate | Typical mileage @ 5 yrs |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 64.9% | – |
| 2002 | 69.7% | – |
| 2003 | 66.2% | – |
| 2004 | 67.3% | – |
| 2005 | 70.3% | – |
| 2006 | 69.1% | – |
| 2007 | 65.5% | – |
| 2008 | 69.1% | – |
| 2009 | 74.8% | – |
| 2010 | 78.3% | – |
| 2011 | 77.4% | – |
| 2012 | 74.2% | – |
| 2013 | 79.8% | – |
| 2014 | 80.9% | – |
| 2015 | 81.3% | – |
| 2016 | 84.3% | – |
| 2017 | 85.3% | 103,507 km |
| 2018 | 87.1% | 72,070 km |
| 2019 | 89.8% | 59,470 km |
| 2020 | 98.5% | 107,023 km |
Model-level pattern, not per-car prediction
These figures describe the Volvo S60 as a model. The reliability of any individual Volvo S60 also depends on service history, accident history, and how it was driven. Run a free VIN check to see the records attached to a specific car you're considering.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Volvo S60 reliable?
Based on owner-reported inspection records, the Volvo S60 passes first-time inspections at roughly the European average. Its first-time inspection pass rate sits around 77%. Reliability varies by year and engine: see the year-by-year breakdown on this page for the specific cohort you're considering.
What are the common problems on the Volvo S60?
The most common owner-reported issues are: Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements (1.8% of inspections); a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm (1.5% of inspections); A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage (1.1% of inspections); A tyre cords visible or damaged (1.1% of inspections); The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements (1% of inspections).
What mileage is normal for a Volvo S60?
For a typical Volvo S60, owner-reported average mileage works out to about – at 3 years, – at 5 years, and – at 10 years. The mileage section on this page shows the full distribution, high-use vs low-use cars often differ by a factor of three.
How do I check a specific Volvo S60 before buying?
Enter the 17-character VIN on Carlytics. The free check shows decoded specs and open safety recalls. The full vehicle history report (from EUR 8.90) cross-references owner-reported issues, mileage records, and stolen-vehicle databases for the specific car, model-level reliability tells you the pattern, the VIN check tells you the car.