2010 Volvo V60 2.0L Diesel · VA60 UDX

The most recent MOT was on 2026-02-26 — just over four months ago — and it passed at 224,111 miles. However, it recorded a defect: slight play in the nearside front suspension arm ball joint (5.3.4 (a) (i)). That same defect appeared in the failed MOT the day before — 2026-02-25 — alongside a dangerous nearside rear tyre bulge (5.2.3 (d) (ii)), which is a structural failure risk and an immediate safety concern. The fact that both issues were present at identical mileage suggests the tyre was already compromised before the test, and the ball joint issue had not been addressed since at least the previous year. The ball joint defect is now confirmed as recurring: it appeared in February 2026 and was not noted in the prior pass in March 2025 — meaning it likely developed within the last 11 months. There’s no evidence it’s improving; instead, it’s persistent and unrectified. The tyre failure adds urgency — structural tyre damage doesn’t heal or stabilise. At 224,111 miles and 16 years old, this car has averaged around 14,007 miles per year. That’s high for its age and strongly suggests consistent, hard use rather than intermittent or light service. While high mileage doesn’t automatically mean poor condition, it does increase the likelihood of wear in suspension, steering, braking, and drivetrain components — especially when defects like ball joint play are already evident.