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Volvo V70 Mk2 (facelift) (2004-2006) reliability

At a glance

Volvo V70 Mk2 (facelift) built around 2005: about average at the MOT

Volvo V70 Mk2 (facelift) models built around 2005 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.

Looking at a Volvo V70 Mk2 (facelift) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

31% of MOT tests on Volvo V70 Mk2 (facelift) models built around 2005 ended in a fail (retests included), against 29% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Volvo V70 Mk2 (facelift) models built around 2005 involves the suspension.

Volvo V70 Mk2 (facelift)
average reliability2004-2006EstatePETROL / DIESEL

Based on 10,938 tests of V70 models registered 2004-2006.

About 1 in 10 V70 Mk2 (facelift) MOTs (9.9%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2005 (20 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 4,035 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 12 V70 Mk2 (facelift) MOTs (8.3%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2005 (20 years old).

Based on 4,035 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

Mk2 (facelift) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
1,36130.3%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
3,65831.1%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
4,03530.9%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
1,88432.9%

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 21 years old.

How the V70 Mk2 (facelift) compares

At each age below, see how the V70 Mk2 (facelift) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 13,804 tests across 9 Volvo models, built around 2005 (20 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateVolvo average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
1,36130.3%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
3,65831.1%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
4,03530.9%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
1,88432.9%

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.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

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

Tyres

Worth checking

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

Suspension springs

Worth checking

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

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.

Similar cars to compare

Other cars, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the V70 Mk2 (facelift).

  1. 1

    Lexus IS

    Tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    28.9%

    Lower fail rate: 28.9%, against 30.9% for the Volvo V70 Mk2 (facelift), both built around 2005.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    1,334 MOT tests on cars built around 2005

  2. 2

    Jaguar XJ

    Tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    24.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    11.4%
    Dangerous
    6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    93.8%

    Lower fail rate: 24.7%, against 30.9% for the Volvo V70 Mk2 (facelift), both built around 2005.

    5 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    1,508 MOT tests on cars built around 2005

  3. 3

    Mercedes-Benz E-Class

    Tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    25.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    9.2%
    Dangerous
    7.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    79.9%

    Lower fail rate: 25.5%, against 30.9% for the Volvo V70 Mk2 (facelift), both built around 2005.

    10 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    3,978 MOT tests on cars built around 2005

  4. 4

    BMW 3 Series

    Tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    26.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    8.9%
    Dangerous
    7.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    89.8%

    Lower fail rate: 26.4%, against 30.9% for the Volvo V70 Mk2 (facelift), both built around 2005.

    15 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    10,816 MOT tests on cars built around 2005

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.

How many are still registered

95%of all Volvo V70 cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later. This is the whole model, not only this generation.

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

3 of the 58 V70 Mk2 (facelift) recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 3 recalls

Top concerns

  • Child restraint anchor bracket concern
  • Child safety lock concern
  • Rear seat belt anchorage concern

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

What has gone wrong on V70 Mk2 (facelift) cars built around 2005

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 2,689 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
68%
Emissions
48%
Drivetrain
43%
Steering
22%
Bodywork
1%

Wear items

Lighting
73%
Brakes
70%
Tyres
53%

Rust, which the MOT calls corrosion: 10% of these cars show rust-related issues at this age.

Check the sills, subframe and brake pipes before you decide.

How V70 Mk2 (facelift) cars have aged

How V70 Mk2 (facelift) cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%30%15161718192021Age at MOTBuilt around 2006, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 30.8% (2,903 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2006, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 29.1% (2,601 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2006, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 30.2% (2,377 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2006, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 30.3% (2,102 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2006, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 30.8% (1,901 tests, 2025 data)2006Built around 2005, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 30.7% (3,760 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2005, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 30.9% (3,482 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2005, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 30.2% (3,034 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2005, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 31.8% (2,737 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2005, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 30.2% (2,391 tests, 2025 data)2005Built around 2004, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 32.7% (3,203 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2004, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 32.9% (2,837 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2004, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 31.7% (2,472 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2004, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 31.8% (2,164 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2004, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 32.9% (1,884 tests, 2025 data)2004
First registered around 2006First registered around 2005First registered around 2004
How each part holds up as Mk2 (facelift) cars age

How each part holds up as Mk2 (facelift) cars age

The share of petrol cars built pre-2005 that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Rates usually rise with age, but can dip slightly as cars leave the road.

Part of the car21 years22 years23 years24 years
Suspension62%64%70%72%
Brakes70%68%70%70%
Emissions45%45%56%53%
Tyres64%63%61%57%
Lighting78%75%81%83%
Drivetrain38%24%28%30%
Bodywork1%No figureNo figureNo figure
Steering16%15%14%13%
Corrosion12%5%10%7%

Based on petrol cars in the pre-2005 build-year band, from 214 to 740 cars at each age.

Mk2 (facelift) variants compared

V70 Mk2 (facelift) variants built around 2005

The fail rate for each V70 Mk2 (facelift) variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Diesel

  • V7030.7%2,205 tests

Petrol

  • V7031.3%1,829 tests
All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on Volvo V70 models of this age

This list covers every Volvo V70 built around 2005, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk2 (facelift) on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

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

  1. 1
    Advisory

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

    33.1%
    Advisory: 1,962Fail: 382 (16% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

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

    21.3%
    Advisory: 1,148Fail: 95 (8% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Coil spring corroded

    15.8%
    Advisory: 1,112Fail: 29 (3% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    13.1%
    Advisory: 532Fail: 6 (1% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    12.4%
    Advisory: 700Fail: 13 (2% of the times it was found)

Based on 4,035 tests

Looking at a Volvo V70 Mk2 (facelift) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2005 (20 years old), the Volvo V70 Mk2 (facelift) (2004-2006) fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 4,035 20-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 10,938 MOT tests on Volvo V70 models first registered between 2004-2006. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.