Volvo Unknown Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Volvo Unknown car check
Is the Volvo Unknown reliable? We analysed 9,254 real MOT tests across 5,761 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Volvo Unknown? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Volvo Unknown is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Volvo Unknown.
Volvo Unknown Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Volvo Unknown. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Volvo Unknown MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Volvo Unknown to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Volvo Unknown Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Volvo Unknown models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Volvo Unknown Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Volvo Unknown owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Volvo Unknown MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Volvo Unknown year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 95 | 91.6% | 18,156 | 25,312 | 34,952 |
| 2018 | 95 | 88.4% | 16,255 | 38,012 | 68,516 |
| 2017 | 272 | 90.8% | 16,126 | 25,370 | 50,099 |
| 2016 | 372 | 84.7% | 22,800 | 38,294 | 56,549 |
| 2015 | 265 | 86.0% | 30,251 | 52,907 | 81,934 |
| 2014 | 358 | 82.4% | 33,811 | 51,899 | 74,933 |
| 2013 | 291 | 85.6% | 34,638 | 53,063 | 69,576 |
| 2012 | 105 | 93.3% | 56,078 | 98,709 | 460,719 |
| 2011 | 71 | 90.1% | 76,037 | 94,139 | 206,042 |
| 2010 | 50 | 92.0% | 95,032 | 391,206 | 486,534 |
| 2009 | 121 | 92.6% | 67,612 | 576,094 | 664,772 |
| 2008 | 116 | 84.5% | 91,904 | 548,639 | 642,536 |
| 2007 | 278 | 84.9% | 103,830 | 510,447 | 615,202 |
| 2006 | 206 | 85.4% | 203,248 | 603,235 | 699,926 |
| 2005 | 523 | 86.6% | 209,797 | 570,884 | 705,395 |
| 2004 | 205 | 81.5% | 128,028 | 486,612 | 606,313 |
| 2003 | 170 | 71.8% | 393,773 | 539,971 | 858,235 |
| 2002 | 139 | 74.1% | 117,300 | 435,527 | 774,104 |
| 2001 | 162 | 77.2% | 108,629 | 242,237 | 473,808 |
| 2000 | 256 | 79.3% | 86,027 | 253,908 | 617,229 |
How Long Does a Volvo Unknown Last?
Based on 5,761 Volvo Unknown vehicles on UK roads.
Volvo Unknown Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Volvo Unknown 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 Unknown
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
93.3% MOT pass rate from 105 tests
71.1% MOT pass rate from 173 tests
The best year to buy a used Volvo Unknown is 2012, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 93.3% across 105 tests. The 1995 model year has the lowest pass rate at 71.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Volvo Unknown Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volvo Unknown THIS CAR | 85.1% | 9,254 | 229,630 mi | 33 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 |
| Iveco Daily 35 C12 LWB | 67.8% | 3,745 | 125,708 mi | 21 yrs |
Compared to the Volvo V70 (71.0% pass rate) and the Volvo V40 (73.7% pass rate), the Volvo Unknown outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Volvo Unknown 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 UnknownShould you buy a used Volvo Unknown?
The Volvo Unknown has an overall MOT pass rate of 85.1% across 9,254 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Volvo Unknown with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Volvo Unknown owner drives around 6,095 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 Unknown models stay on UK roads for around 33 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.