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Volvo V70 reliability

B · Good

MOT pass rates and common problems from 416,022 MOT tests of cars first registered 1997–2016.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
62.1%pass first time
+5.2 ptsvs typical car
Beats 68%of cars
416,022MOT tests

Verdict

The Volvo V70 passes its MOT first time on 62.1% of tests, 5.2 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (56.9%). That puts it ahead of 68% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2008 V70 does best (beats 88% of cars) and the 2001 worst (beats 47%).

Of its engines, the 2.0 Diesel does best (beats 82%) and the 2.4 Petrol worst (beats 49%).

Better than average on suspension, body & structure, visibility.

MOT pass rate by age

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

40%50%60%70%80%90%3456789101112131415161718192085%83%78%74%70%64%58%55%53%
Volvo V70Typical 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.

1997
Beats 47%
1998
Beats 45%
1999
Beats 59%
2000
Beats 55%
2001
Beats 47%
2002
Beats 51%
2003
Beats 53%
2004
Beats 57%
2005
Beats 65%
2006
Beats 65%
2007
Beats 70%
2008
Beats 88%
2009
Beats 80%
2010
Beats 87%
2011
Beats 88%
2012
Beats 82%
2013
Beats 86%
2014
Beats 90%
2015
Beats 91%
2016
Beats 89%

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
2.4 Diesel2002–2015184,77063.0%Beats 75%B
2.4 Petrol1997–2007109,83252.6%Beats 49%C
2.0 Diesel2008–201681,47273.3%Beats 82%A
2.3 Petrol1997–200311,61457.7%Beats 64%B
1.6 Diesel2010–201411,06068.6%Beats 67%B
2.5 Petrol2003–20099,45365.2%Beats 83%A
2.5 Diesel1998–20005,62853.9%Beats 55%C
2.0 Petrol2004–20052,19355.4%Beats 60%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: 3.8% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 6.4% 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: 9.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 17.1% 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: 19.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 21.1% 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: 8.1% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.9% 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: 11.9% of tests fail on brakes, against 13.4% 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: 19.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 21.1% 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+1.7 ptsTyres: 8.1% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.9% 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−0.2 ptsBrakes: 11.9% of tests fail on brakes, against 13.4% 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+1.5 ptsSuspension: 9.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 17.1% 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+7.3 ptsExhaust: 3.8% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 6.4% 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+2.6 ptsSuspension: 9.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 17.1% 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: 11.9% of tests fail on brakes, against 13.4% 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: 8.1% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.9% 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: 19.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 21.1% 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: 3.8% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 6.4% 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: 19.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 21.1% 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+1.7 ptsTyres: 8.1% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.9% 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−0.2 ptsBrakes: 11.9% of tests fail on brakes, against 13.4% 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+1.5 ptsSuspension: 9.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 17.1% 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+7.3 ptsExhaust: 3.8% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 6.4% 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+2.6 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Tyres: 8.1% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.9% 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).

Lights & electrics
19.4% vs 21.1%
Brakes
11.9% vs 13.4%
Suspension
9.8% vs 17.1%
Tyres
8.1% vs 7.9%
Body & structure
5.6% vs 8.0%
Visibility
4.9% vs 7.1%
Steering
4.3% vs 4.2%
Emissions & leaks
3.8% vs 6.4%
Seat belts & airbags
1.4% vs 2.8%
Wheels
0.4% vs 0.6%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Sidelights
    Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Tyre damage & cracking
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • Handbrake performance
    Check the handbrake holds the car firmly on a slope.
  • Headlight bulbs & units
    Check dipped and main beam on both sides.
  • Tyre tread depth
    Check every tyre, including the inner edge, has at least 3 mm of tread. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

50%60%70%80%90%100%10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k89%86%79%74%67%63%59%56%
Volvo V70Typical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Sidelights6.5%5.7%1.1×
Headlight aim6.4%5.8%1.1×
Tyre damage & cracking5.3%3.9%1.3×
Handbrake performance4.4%3.5%1.3×
Headlight bulbs & units3.4%3.9%0.9×
Tyre tread depth2.5%3.7%0.7×
Track rod ends2.5%2.7%0.9×
Drive shaft (CV) joints2.4%2.7%0.9×
Suspension arm bushes2.3%2.1%1.1×
Brake pads2.3%2.4%1.0×

Specific defects found

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

Defectper 1,000
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements63.6
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn57.1
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning52.3
Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement29.9
A tyre seriously damaged26.4
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements25.3
A tyre cords visible or damaged24.5
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc24.3
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.

2016 Volvo V701 engine84.0% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel5,80584.0%Beats 89%A
2015 Volvo V702 engines83.0% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel14,07982.7%Beats 90%A
2.4 Diesel3,08984.7%Beats 96%A
2014 Volvo V703 engines79.9% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel9,42780.0%Beats 91%A
2.4 Diesel5,67282.5%Beats 96%A
1.6 Diesel2,25572.7%Beats 49%C
2013 Volvo V703 engines75.8% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel8,54275.9%Beats 86%A
2.4 Diesel3,83479.1%Beats 95%A
1.6 Diesel2,47470.3%Beats 63%B
2012 Volvo V703 engines72.1% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel6,04272.2%Beats 81%A
2.4 Diesel5,26375.0%Beats 92%A
1.6 Diesel1,97264.5%Beats 55%C
2011 Volvo V703 engines72.1% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel9,02970.6%Beats 83%A
2.4 Diesel7,83874.9%Beats 95%A
1.6 Diesel1,21064.9%Beats 65%B
2010 Volvo V703 engines69.7% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Diesel11,38371.7%Beats 92%A
2.0 Diesel10,04767.8%Beats 82%A
1.6 Diesel3,14968.4%Beats 84%A
2009 Volvo V703 engines65.8% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel15,72463.2%Beats 72%B
2.4 Diesel15,61568.0%Beats 87%A
2.5 Petrol1,33770.7%Beats 88%A
2008 Volvo V703 engines67.6% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Diesel25,77868.1%Beats 90%A
2.0 Diesel2,77761.6%Beats 72%B
2.5 Petrol1,48269.8%Beats 89%A
2007 Volvo V702 engines60.7% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Diesel21,70161.3%Beats 73%B
2.4 Petrol3,40556.8%Beats 55%C
2006 Volvo V702 engines57.9% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Diesel19,11358.1%Beats 66%B
2.4 Petrol6,56557.3%Beats 61%B
2005 Volvo V704 engines57.1% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Diesel22,10057.1%Beats 66%B
2.4 Petrol10,48255.7%Beats 60%C
2.5 Petrol1,85064.5%Beats 84%A
2.0 Petrol1,11055.5%Beats 60%B
2004 Volvo V704 engines53.1% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Diesel18,80853.4%Beats 59%C
2.4 Petrol9,85750.8%Beats 46%C
2.5 Petrol2,33059.5%Beats 72%B
2.0 Petrol1,08355.2%Beats 60%C
2003 Volvo V704 engines51.9% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Diesel14,98552.0%Beats 56%C
2.4 Petrol10,58748.5%Beats 38%D
2.5 Petrol2,45465.3%Beats 88%A
2.3 Petrol1,31754.4%Beats 62%B
2002 Volvo V703 engines51.5% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Petrol17,12750.7%Beats 47%C
2.4 Diesel9,59151.8%Beats 55%C
2.3 Petrol2,02956.6%Beats 66%B
2001 Volvo V702 engines50.8% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Petrol18,87950.3%Beats 45%C
2.3 Petrol2,01756.0%Beats 63%B
2000 Volvo V703 engines53.9% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Petrol14,30454.1%Beats 54%C
2.5 Diesel1,90351.0%Beats 48%C
2.3 Petrol1,70456.0%Beats 61%B
1999 Volvo V703 engines56.3% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Petrol8,60055.3%Beats 54%C
2.5 Diesel2,42157.2%Beats 64%B
2.3 Petrol1,17061.9%Beats 74%B
1998 Volvo V703 engines54.2% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Petrol6,05953.1%Beats 39%D
2.3 Petrol1,74859.7%Beats 65%B
2.5 Diesel1,30452.0%Beats 43%C
1997 Volvo V702 engines56.4% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Petrol3,96754.8%Beats 40%C
2.3 Petrol1,62960.4%Beats 63%B

FAQ

What is the Volvo V70 MOT pass rate?

62.1% of MOT tests on the Volvo V70 were passed first time, based on 416,022 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 1997–2016. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 56.9% of the time.

Is the Volvo V70 reliable?

On MOT results it rates B (good): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 68% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Volvo V70 year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2008 V70 does best for its age and mileage: it beats 88% of cars on UK roads. The 2001 does worst: it beats 47%.

Which Volvo V70 engine is best?

Across all years, the 2.0 Diesel does best: it beats 82% of cars on UK roads. The 2.4 Petrol does worst: it beats 49%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Volvo V70?

The most common failure items are sidelights, headlight aim, tyre damage & cracking.

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.