Is the Volvo XC60 reliable?
Having finished third place out of 24 cars in the 2023 WhatCar? Reliability survey, the XC60 is a more reliable proposition than both its key German rivals, namely the Audi Q5 and BMW X3. Predictably, however, it isn't quite as reliable as the Toyota RAV4, but an overall score of 97.9% is more than satisfactory.
There are, however, some common issues which you should be aware of, especially if you're searching on a more restricted budget. Let's break them down:
Engine: Euro 6 diesels, especially the D4, suffer problems with the water-cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system, which can become clogged with soot. It’s indicated by the ‘engine check’ light, although performance should be unaffected.
Gearbox: Automatics require fresh fluid every three years. Check auto changes are smooth, especially when it’s shifting down the ’box. The later eight-speed auto is smoother than the original six-speed unit. Manual cars can suffer accelerated clutch wear, caused by drivers resting their foot on the pedal.
Wheels, tyres and suspension: Larger wheels with low-profile tyres are vulnerable to kerbing; check their condition and also the tyres for abnormal wear. Reports of dampers and springs starting to fail at around 100,000 miles (see above).
Brakes: Fleet users have reported long service life (up to 80,000 miles) from discs and pads, but the XC60 is a heavy car and wear is driving style-dependent, so check their remaining life. Some reports of the electronic handbrake refusing to release; it’s a problem related to a door sensor.
