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Volvo V70 Mk3 (2007-2016) reliability

At a glance

Volvo V70 Mk3 built around 2016: about average at the MOT

Volvo V70 Mk3 models built around 2016 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Looking at a Volvo V70 Mk3?

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

Key figure

17% of MOT tests on Volvo V70 Mk3 models built around 2016 ended in a fail (retests included), against 17% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Volvo V70 Mk3 models built around 2016 involves the tyres.

Volvo V70 Mk3
No reliability rating: too close to call between ratings2007-2016EstatePETROL / DIESEL

Based on 28,042 tests of V70 models registered 2007-2016.

About 1 in 40 V70 Mk3 MOTs (2.4%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2016 (9 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 1,599 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 15 V70 Mk3 MOTs (5.9%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2016 (9 years old).

Based on 1,599 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

Mk3 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
27915.4%
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
1,79931.1%

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 18 years old.

How the V70 Mk3 compares

At each age below, see how the V70 Mk3 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 52,541 tests across 10 Volvo models, built around 2016 (9 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateVolvo average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
27915.4%
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
1,79931.1%

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 pads

High priority

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

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.

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.

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.

Other estates to compare

Other estates, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the V70 Mk3.

  1. 1

    MINI Clubman

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    18.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    3%
    Dangerous
    5.7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.7%

    No clear edge over the Volvo V70 Mk3 on these figures.

    7,294 MOT tests on cars built around 2016

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

14 of the 58 V70 Mk3 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 13 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.

How V70 Mk3 cars have aged

How V70 Mk3 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%57911131517Age at MOTBuilt around 2016, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 11.7% (613 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2016, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 13.3% (603 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2016, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 16.1% (629 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2016, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 14.5% (581 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2016, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 16.1% (590 tests, 2025 data)2016Built around 2015, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 13.9% (1,445 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2015, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 15.0% (1,416 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2015, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 15.1% (1,374 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2015, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 17.7% (1,399 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2015, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 17.2% (1,375 tests, 2025 data)2015Built around 2014, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 16.3% (1,435 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2014, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 18.4% (1,448 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2014, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 18.3% (1,390 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2014, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 18.8% (1,360 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2014, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 19.4% (1,358 tests, 2025 data)2014Built around 2013, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 18.1% (1,235 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2013, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 20.1% (1,226 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2013, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 20.2% (1,220 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2013, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 22.6% (1,259 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2013, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 22.6% (1,234 tests, 2025 data)2013Built around 2012, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 20.1% (1,235 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2012, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 20.4% (1,208 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2012, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 21.1% (1,214 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2012, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 24.8% (1,253 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2012, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 22.8% (1,195 tests, 2025 data)2012Built around 2011, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 21.7% (1,684 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2011, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 20.7% (1,652 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2011, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 22.8% (1,653 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2011, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 23.7% (1,593 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2011, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 23.6% (1,558 tests, 2025 data)2011Built around 2010, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 21.7% (2,311 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2010, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 23.3% (2,248 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2010, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 23.7% (2,193 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2010, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 23.9% (2,106 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2010, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 25.4% (2,039 tests, 2025 data)2010Built around 2009, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 25.6% (2,974 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2009, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 26.3% (2,854 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2009, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 26.8% (2,724 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2009, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 28.6% (2,588 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2009, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 27.4% (2,323 tests, 2025 data)2009Built around 2008, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 24.1% (3,017 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2008, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 24.2% (2,843 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2008, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 24.7% (2,712 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2008, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 26.1% (2,542 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2008, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 25.4% (2,368 tests, 2025 data)2008Built around 2007, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 28.4% (2,584 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2007, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 29.9% (2,392 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2007, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 29.4% (2,170 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2007, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 30.6% (1,994 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2007, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 31.1% (1,799 tests, 2025 data)2007
First registered around 2016First registered around 2015First registered around 2014First registered around 2013
Mk3 variants compared
All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on Volvo V70 models of this age

This list covers every Volvo V70 built around 2016, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk3 on its own.

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

    21.8%
    Advisory: 554Fail: 35 (6% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    12.4%
    Advisory: 219Fail: 45 (17% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    8.4%
    Advisory: 150Fail: 40 (21% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

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

    8.0%
    Advisory: 182Fail: 4 (2% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

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

    5.0%
    Advisory: 105Fail: 6 (5% of the times it was found)

Based on 1,599 tests

Looking at a Volvo V70 Mk3?

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

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2016 (9 years old), the Volvo V70 Mk3 (2007-2016) fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 1,599 9-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 28,042 MOT tests on Volvo V70 models first registered between 2007-2016. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.