Volvo Unclassified
From 1,661 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning and the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements. The top issue, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, caused 40 failures in 2024. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced | 40 |
| a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 31 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 25 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 23 |
| steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 21 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 20 |
| the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 18 |
| a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 17 |
| brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle. | 17 |
| service brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 15 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 25.6% of Unclassified failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 16.3% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. Breakdown cover may be worth considering for this model. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £144.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 90% | lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements, a headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led |
Typical mileage
Half of all Unclassifieds tested had between 17,780 and 145,556 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 63,849 median miles, the Unclassified has 0.024 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Volvo models
| Volvo Xc60 | 82.7% |
| Volvo V40 | 79% |
| Volvo Xc90 | 78% |
| Volvo Xc40 | 91.2% |
| Volvo V70 | 72% |
Common questions
What is the Volvo Unclassified MOT pass rate?
The Volvo Unclassified has a 84.9% MOT pass rate based on 1,661 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Volvo Unclassified?
The most common MOT failure on the Volvo Unclassified is vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, which caused 40 failures. Other common issues include a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning.
What is the typical mileage of a Volvo Unclassified at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Volvo Unclassified is 63,849 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 17,780 and 145,556 miles.
Buying a used Unclassified?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 84.9% pass rate and an average repair bill of £144 when things go wrong, budget accordingly. 25.6% of failures on this model could actually strand you, so breakdown cover may be worth considering.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.