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Volvo C70 reliability

C · Average

MOT pass rates and common problems from 72,539 MOT tests of cars first registered 2001–2013.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
59.2%pass first time
+0.4 ptsvs typical car
Beats 52%of cars
72,539MOT tests

Verdict

The Volvo C70 passes its MOT first time on 59.2% of tests, about the same as a typical car of the same age and mileage (58.8%). That puts it ahead of 52% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2003 C70 does best (beats 74% of cars) and the 2009 worst (beats 35%).

Better than average on lights & electrics, visibility, emissions & leaks.

Watch these weak spots

Tyres1.4×as often as a typical car
Tyre damage & cracking2.0×as often as a typical car
Drive shaft (CV) joints2.2×as often as a typical car
Coil springs1.7×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

50%55%60%65%70%75%89101112131415161718192069%61%58%57%57%58%62%
Volvo C70Typical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

2001
Beats 69%
2002
Beats 72%
2003
Beats 74%
2004
Beats 65%
2005
Beats 65%
2006
Beats 48%
2007
Beats 49%
2008
Beats 43%
2009
Beats 35%
2010
Beats 45%
2011
Beats 44%
2012
Beats 42%
2013
Beats 38%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel2008–201322,17161.9%Beats 41%C
2.4 Petrol2002–200818,52956.5%Beats 48%C
2.0 Petrol2001–200514,93760.6%Beats 68%B
2.4 Diesel2006–201013,94157.5%Beats 51%C
2.5 Petrol2006–20072,96157.9%Beats 51%C

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 3.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 5.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 16.4% of tests fail on suspension, against 15.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 15.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 19.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 10.5% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 10.2% of tests fail on brakes, against 11.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 15.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 19.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+4.2 ptsTyres: 10.5% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−3.1 ptsBrakes: 10.2% of tests fail on brakes, against 11.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+0.9 ptsSuspension: 16.4% of tests fail on suspension, against 15.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension−0.9 ptsExhaust: 3.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 5.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+2.3 ptsSuspension: 16.4% of tests fail on suspension, against 15.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 10.2% of tests fail on brakes, against 11.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 10.5% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 15.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 19.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 3.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 5.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 15.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 19.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+4.2 ptsTyres: 10.5% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−3.1 ptsBrakes: 10.2% of tests fail on brakes, against 11.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+0.9 ptsSuspension: 16.4% of tests fail on suspension, against 15.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension−0.9 ptsExhaust: 3.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 5.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+2.3 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Tyres: 10.5% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Suspension
16.4% vs 15.5%
Lights & electrics
15.2% vs 19.4%
Tyres
10.5% vs 7.4%
Brakes
10.2% vs 11.1%
Body & structure
7.1% vs 6.5%
Visibility
4.6% vs 6.8%
Steering
3.7% vs 3.1%
Emissions & leaks
3.3% vs 5.5%
Seat belts & airbags
1.3% vs 1.9%
Wheels
0.8% vs 0.5%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Tyre damage & cracking 2.0× typical
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • Coil springs 1.7× typical
    Look behind each wheel for a snapped coil (often the bottom one) and listen for clunks over bumps.
  • Shock absorbers 1.9× typical
    Push down hard on each corner: it should rebound once and settle. Look for oily dampers.
  • Handbrake performance 1.5× typical
    Check the handbrake holds the car firmly on a slope.
  • Suspension arm bushes 1.5× typical
    Listen for knocks over speed bumps and feel for wandering or vague steering.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

40%50%60%70%80%90%20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k77%71%62%57%55%54%52%
Volvo C70Typical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Tyre damage & cracking7.8%3.9%2.0×
Coil springs6.4%3.7%1.7×
Drive shaft (CV) joints5.3%2.4%2.2×
Headlight aim4.1%5.1%0.8×
Sidelights4.1%5.1%0.8×
Handbrake performance3.7%2.5%1.5×
Shock absorbers3.0%1.6%1.9×
Headlight bulbs & units2.8%3.7%0.8×
Suspension arm bushes2.7%1.8%1.5×
Windscreen wipers2.4%3.0%0.8×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened64.2
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn54.4
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc53.7
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements41.4
A tyre cords visible or damaged40.9
A tyre seriously damaged35.7
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning34.3
Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement30.2
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2013 Volvo C701 engine71.3% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel2,06871.3%Beats 38%D
2012 Volvo C701 engine68.3% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel2,43668.3%Beats 42%C
2011 Volvo C701 engine64.9% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel4,06564.9%Beats 44%C
2010 Volvo C702 engines61.6% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel5,14161.7%Beats 44%C
2.4 Diesel1,00861.2%Beats 50%C
2009 Volvo C702 engines56.9% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel5,73156.4%Beats 33%D
2.4 Diesel1,68758.4%Beats 43%C
2008 Volvo C703 engines55.8% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Diesel4,72555.3%Beats 43%C
2.0 Diesel2,73056.6%Beats 48%C
2.4 Petrol2,65055.8%Beats 37%D
2007 Volvo C703 engines57.0% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Petrol5,38055.7%Beats 41%C
2.4 Diesel4,96858.3%Beats 59%C
2.5 Petrol1,07958.0%Beats 44%C
2006 Volvo C703 engines56.0% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Petrol7,16354.9%Beats 43%C
2.5 Petrol1,88257.8%Beats 56%C
2.4 Diesel1,55358.5%Beats 61%B
2005 Volvo C701 engine60.7% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol3,34960.7%Beats 65%B
2004 Volvo C702 engines59.6% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol4,25959.8%Beats 65%B
2.4 Petrol1,00558.8%Beats 62%B
2003 Volvo C702 engines61.8% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol3,64961.1%Beats 72%B
2.4 Petrol1,19264.2%Beats 81%A
2002 Volvo C702 engines61.0% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol2,24761.0%Beats 73%B
2.4 Petrol1,13961.2%Beats 71%B
2001 Volvo C701 engine60.7% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol1,43360.7%Beats 69%B

FAQ

What is the Volvo C70 MOT pass rate?

59.2% of MOT tests on the Volvo C70 were passed first time, based on 72,539 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2001–2013. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 58.8% of the time.

Is the Volvo C70 reliable?

On MOT results it rates C (average): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 52% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Volvo C70 year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2003 C70 does best for its age and mileage: it beats 74% of cars on UK roads. The 2009 does worst: it beats 35%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Volvo C70?

The most common failure items are tyre damage & cracking, coil springs, drive shaft (CV) joints. Compared with similar cars, tyre damage & cracking comes up 2.0× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.