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Volvo XC70 reliability by build year

Coverage 2007-20161 named generationEstatePETROL / DIESEL
At a glance

Volvo XC70 built around 2011: about average at the MOT

Volvo XC70 models built around 2011 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Check a Volvo XC70 by number plate

Key figure

24% of MOT tests on Volvo XC70 models built around 2011 ended in a fail (retests included), against 25% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Volvo XC70 models built around 2011 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Volvo XC70'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.

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.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your XC70's generation

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

XC70 SZ (2nd gen)

SZ (2nd gen) (2007-2016)

Too close to call between ratings
DIESELPETROL

17.2% 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 1,636 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Pre

Older models (before 2005)

DIESELPETROL

32.2% fail rate, built around 2004 (21 years old)

Likely between 29.0% and 35.6%

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

From 757 MOT tests at this ageLimited data

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 XC70.

See every build year for the Volvo XC70

Side-by-side

Volvo XC70 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
SZ (2nd gen) (2007-2016)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings17.2%built around 2016 (9 years old)from 1,636 MOT tests at this age
Older models (before 2005)
No rating
No rating32.2%likely between 29.0% and 35.6%built around 2004 (21 years old)from 757 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the XC70, 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 XC70 fail rate by age

This chart combines every Volvo XC70 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
36516.2%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
1,63617.2%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
2,08518.6%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
1,90617.8%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
1,86321.7%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
1,84923.5%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
2,13724.5%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
1,56724.1%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
1,21125.0%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
1,34625.1%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
1,43530.4%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
1,60630.9%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
1,19130.5%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
75732.2%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
29633.1%

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 22 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 14-year-old Volvo XC70 models

These issues come from 14-year-old Volvo XC70 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

    19.6%
    Advisory: 617Fail: 36 (6% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

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

    13.1%
    Advisory: 348Fail: 80 (19% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    10.9%
    Advisory: 253Fail: 42 (14% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

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

    9.2%
    Advisory: 276Fail: 4 (1% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Coil spring corroded

    9.2%
    Advisory: 160Fail: 104 (39% of the times it was found)

Based on 2,137 MOT tests on 14-year-old Volvo XC70 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 14-year-old Volvo XC70 models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelEnough data
  1. Suspension + Tyres27%
  2. Brakes + Suspension25%
  3. Brakes + Tyres21%
  4. Lighting + Suspension21%

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

Across 936 MOT tests on Volvo XC70 cars built around 2011 (14 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

98%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% · More than 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

39 recalls in all

11 of the 39 Volvo XC70 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 10 more

Top concerns

  • Driver's airbag module may not deploy as intended
  • 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
    18.5%

    Lower fail rate: 18.5%, against 24.5% for the Volvo XC70, both built around 2011.

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

    1,081 MOT tests on cars built around 2011

  2. 2

    Saab 9-3

    Tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    25.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    8.1%
    Dangerous
    6.6%

    No clear edge over the Volvo XC70 on these figures.

    4,197 MOT tests on cars built around 2011

  3. 3

    BMW 5 Series

    Tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    21.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    7.4%
    Dangerous
    6.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    82.6%

    Lower fail rate: 21.4%, against 24.5% for the Volvo XC70, both built around 2011.

    12 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    12,637 MOT tests on cars built around 2011

  4. 4

    SEAT Exeo

    Tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    28.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    10.1%
    Dangerous
    7.1%

    No clear edge over the Volvo XC70 on these figures.

    1,855 MOT tests on cars built around 2011

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 2011 (14 years old), the Volvo XC70 across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 2,137 14-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Volvo XC70 ever sold: 21,250 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2011 (14 years old): 2,137 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.