MOT failures by make

Volvo MOT failures for “Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn”

Volvo cars failed their MOT on “Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn” in 0.91% of 1,161,658 tests in 2023–2024 (10,577 tests) — 38% less often than comparable cars of the same age, mileage and fuel, which would have failed on it in about 1.47% of tests. It is the number 14 most common failure item on Volvos.

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Data to 2024-12-30 · Page updated 2026-09-28 · Publisher: 73 Auto

Volvo tests failing on it: 0.91%; 10,577 of 1,161,658 tests, 2023–2024
Comparable cars: 1.47%; national rate at the same age, mileage and fuel
Observed ÷ expected: 0.62×; 73 Auto analysis · rank #14 for Volvo

How unusual this is for the make

Across all MOT failures, Volvos fail 7% less often than comparable cars. On this item the gap is 0.67× narrower than that overall level, so it is a genuine Volvo pattern rather than a reflection of how often the make fails in general. It is a major defect in the suspension part of the test. Nationally it appears on 1.43% of MOT tests.

Volvo models and “Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn”

The Volvo XC40 is least affected (0.05× comparable cars); the Volvo V50 most (0.99×). Every model listed is below the national rate, so the pattern runs across the range. Model rows compare with cars of the same age and fuel.

Volvo models: share of MOT tests failing on Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn
Model	Tests	Failed on it	vs similar cars
Volvo V50	63,673	2.70%	0.99×
Volvo XC90	140,093	1.46%	0.94×
Volvo S40	39,163	2.14%	0.86×
Volvo C30	47,168	1.97%	0.76×
Volvo C70	16,441	1.78%	0.74×
Volvo V70	86,581	1.76%	0.74×
Volvo XC70	35,465	1.38%	0.57×
Volvo S60	41,745	0.99%	0.55×
Volvo V40	199,307	0.52%	0.48×
Volvo S80	14,890	1.07%	0.44×
Volvo S90	15,103	0.14%	0.40×
Volvo V60	77,102	0.41%	0.37×
Volvo V90	30,109	0.11%	0.36×
Volvo XC60	216,923	0.20%	0.19×
Volvo XC40	119,449	0.01%	0.05×

Models with at least 10,000 MOT tests and 30 expected failures on this item. 2023–2024 DVSA data; 73 Auto analysis.

By age at test

The difference is most pronounced at 9-10 years old: 0.58% of Volvo tests against 1.83% for comparable cars.

Volvo: share of MOT tests failing on Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn by age band, against comparable cars
Age (years)	Volvo tests	Volvo	Comparable cars
3-4	192,276	0.06%	0.13%
5-6	172,133	0.24%	0.44%
7-8	161,144	0.46%	1.13%
9-10	127,771	0.58%	1.83%
11-12	109,664	1.16%	2.59%
13-15	146,522	1.83%	2.93%
16+	175,630	2.62%	2.72%

Limitations

Official data: DVSA's anonymised MOT results (2023–2024), class 4 initial tests, cars at least 2.5 years old. 73 Auto analysis: the comparison rate applies the national rate of this item for each test's own age, mileage band and fuel to the Volvo tests. An MOT result reflects maintenance, mileage and how a car is used as well as its design, so this is not a measure of which make is most reliable. The wording of the defect is DVSA's.

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UK number plate or 17-character VIN

Where these figures come from

Anonymised MOT tests and results (2023 and 2024) — Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). Open Government Licence v3.0.

Figures labelled as 73 Auto estimates are our own analysis of these sources, set out in the methodology and data sources. To report a factual error, see corrections.