Volvo S70 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Volvo S70 car check
Is the Volvo S70 reliable? We analysed 77,770 real MOT tests across 7,179 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Volvo S70? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Volvo S70 is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include constant velocity joint gaiter split, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm and position lamp(s) not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Volvo S70.
Volvo S70 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Volvo S70. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Volvo S70 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Volvo S70 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Volvo S70 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Volvo S70 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Volvo S70 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Volvo S70 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Volvo S70 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Volvo S70 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 92 | 79.3% | 68,842 | 93,070 | 116,802 |
| 2001 | 123 | 69.1% | 49,741 | 80,926 | 104,220 |
| 2000 | 836 | 70.3% | 93,227 | 130,611 | 160,349 |
| 1999 | 13,193 | 71.0% | 82,244 | 110,209 | 142,830 |
| 1998 | 28,563 | 69.7% | 85,139 | 112,832 | 143,663 |
| 1997 | 34,646 | 69.0% | 89,704 | 117,100 | 147,790 |
| 1996 | 138 | 63.8% | 87,840 | 108,497 | 145,902 |
How Long Does a Volvo S70 Last?
Based on 7,179 Volvo S70 vehicles on UK roads.
Volvo S70 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Volvo S70 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Volvo S70
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
79.3% MOT pass rate from 92 tests
63.8% MOT pass rate from 138 tests
The best year to buy a used Volvo S70 is 2002, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 79.3% across 92 tests. The 1996 model year has the lowest pass rate at 63.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Volvo S70 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volvo S70 THIS CAR | 69.6% | 77,770 | 114,318 mi | 29 yrs |
| Volvo V70 | 71% | 1,930,508 | 113,181 mi | 29 yrs |
| Volvo V40 | 73.7% | 1,865,374 | 76,415 mi | 30 yrs |
| Volvo S40 | 69.9% | 1,390,271 | 84,701 mi | 30 yrs |
| Honda Cbr | 85.8% | 98,965 | 12,603 mi | 34 yrs |
Compared to the Volvo V70 (71.0% pass rate) and the Volvo V40 (73.7% pass rate), the Volvo S70 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Volvo S70 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Volvo S70Should you buy a used Volvo S70?
The Volvo S70 has an overall MOT pass rate of 69.6% across 77,770 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Volvo S70 are constant velocity joint gaiter split (3,223 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (3,207), and position lamp(s) not working (2,216). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Volvo S70 owner drives around 5,235 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Volvo S70 models stay on UK roads for around 29 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.