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Volvo V70 reliability by build year

Coverage 2004-20162 named generationsestateEstatePETROL / DIESEL
At a glance

Volvo V70 built around 2010: about average at the MOT

Volvo V70 models built around 2010 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Check a Volvo V70 by number plate

Key figure

26% of MOT tests on Volvo V70 models built around 2010 ended in a fail (retests included), against 26% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Volvo V70 models built around 2010 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Volvo V70's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Suspension springs

Worth checking

Check ride height is even side-to-side and look for cracked or rusted coils.

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Over the last three years, fail rates rose, then fell back. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your V70's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

V70 Mk3

Mk3 (2007-2016)

Too close to call between ratings
DIESELPETROL

16.9% fail rate, built around 2016 (9 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 5 MOTs, 20.8%)

From 1,599 MOT tests at this ageView details →
V70 Mk2 (facelift)

Mk2 (facelift) (2004-2006)

Too close to call between ratings
DIESELPETROL

32.7% fail rate, built around 2004 (21 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.1%)

From 3,323 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Volvo V70.

See every build year for the Volvo V70

Side-by-side

Volvo V70 generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
Mk3 (2007-2016)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings16.9%built around 2016 (9 years old)from 1,599 MOT tests at this age
Mk2 (facelift) (2004-2006)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings32.7%built around 2004 (21 years old)from 3,323 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the V70, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Volvo V70 fail rate by age

This chart combines every Volvo V70 ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
29115.5%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
1,59916.9%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
2,37317.6%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
2,26220.6%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
2,04322.5%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
2,26822.8%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
3,13323.9%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
4,34026.2%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
4,07127.4%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
3,87526.2%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
3,16030.7%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
3,65831.1%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
4,03530.9%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
3,32332.7%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
2,84733.2%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
2,21731.7%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
1,55331.6%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
3,49629.8%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 22 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 15-year-old Volvo V70 models

These issues come from 15-year-old Volvo V70 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    26.8%
    Advisory: 1,783Fail: 115 (6% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    18.6%
    Advisory: 1,114Fail: 198 (15% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Coil spring corroded

    12.9%
    Advisory: 777Fail: 89 (10% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    12.4%
    Advisory: 525Fail: 106 (17% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Exhaust has a minor leak

    11.5%
    Advisory: 497Fail: 54 (10% of the times it was found)

Based on 4,340 MOT tests on 15-year-old Volvo V70 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 15-year-old Volvo V70 models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Suspension + Tyres32%
  2. Brakes + Suspension26%
  3. Lighting + Suspension24%
  4. Brakes + Tyres22%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 2,413 MOT tests on Volvo V70 cars built around 2010 (15 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

95%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · About typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

58 recalls in all

15 of the 58 Volvo V70 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 14 more

Top concerns

  • Coolant leakage may result in a fire
  • There is a risk for trapped air to be in the cooling system which may result in insufficient cooling of engine componen
  • There is a risk for trapped air to be in the cooling system

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Similar cars to compare

Similar cars to compare

  1. 1

    Lexus IS

    Tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    19.7%

    Lower fail rate: 19.7%, against 26.2% for the Volvo V70, both built around 2010.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    1,466 MOT tests on cars built around 2010

  2. 2

    BMW 5 Series

    Tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    22%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6.7%
    Dangerous
    6.7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    82.6%

    Lower fail rate: 22.0%, against 26.2% for the Volvo V70, both built around 2010.

    12 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    8,381 MOT tests on cars built around 2010

  3. 3

    Saab 9-3

    Tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    26.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    8.6%
    Dangerous
    6.5%

    Fewer dangerous faults: 6.5%, against 7.6% for the Volvo V70.

    3,651 MOT tests on cars built around 2010

  4. 4

    Jaguar X-Type

    Tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    29.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    11.6%
    Dangerous
    7.9%

    No clear edge over the Volvo V70 on these figures.

    2,150 MOT tests on cars built around 2010

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2010 (15 years old), the Volvo V70 across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 4,340 15-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Volvo V70 ever sold: 50,544 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2010 (15 years old): 4,340 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.