Volvo V70 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Volvo V70 car check
Is the Volvo V70 reliable? We analysed 1,930,508 real MOT tests across 117,393 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Volvo V70? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Volvo V70 is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, position lamp(s) not working and registration plate lamp not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Volvo V70.
Volvo V70 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Volvo V70. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Volvo V70 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Volvo V70 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Volvo V70 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Volvo V70 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Volvo V70 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Volvo V70 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Volvo V70 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Volvo V70 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 127 | 95.3% | 34,644 | 58,061 | 88,042 |
| 2016 | 6,683 | 86.3% | 38,588 | 57,696 | 82,934 |
| 2015 | 19,922 | 85.2% | 41,130 | 62,048 | 91,105 |
| 2014 | 22,264 | 83.6% | 46,510 | 70,719 | 101,707 |
| 2013 | 22,028 | 81.5% | 53,411 | 82,304 | 116,950 |
| 2012 | 23,099 | 79.5% | 59,528 | 89,810 | 125,618 |
| 2011 | 34,727 | 79.7% | 61,142 | 91,852 | 129,265 |
| 2010 | 53,383 | 78.6% | 64,078 | 97,212 | 134,323 |
| 2009 | 78,148 | 76.7% | 62,835 | 97,007 | 134,460 |
| 2008 | 79,833 | 78.1% | 65,216 | 99,570 | 137,640 |
| 2007 | 78,257 | 74.2% | 68,090 | 103,558 | 141,714 |
| 2006 | 93,050 | 72.8% | 69,288 | 104,440 | 142,880 |
| 2005 | 132,389 | 72.6% | 72,826 | 109,962 | 150,601 |
| 2004 | 146,977 | 70.4% | 72,928 | 110,562 | 151,986 |
| 2003 | 168,738 | 69.1% | 73,452 | 110,133 | 150,177 |
| 2002 | 211,152 | 68.5% | 77,298 | 111,831 | 149,742 |
| 2001 | 186,921 | 67.8% | 81,280 | 111,652 | 144,940 |
| 2000 | 188,970 | 68.0% | 90,690 | 120,478 | 153,956 |
| 1999 | 140,586 | 68.5% | 98,890 | 129,401 | 163,305 |
| 1998 | 133,189 | 66.6% | 103,734 | 132,990 | 165,430 |
How Long Does a Volvo V70 Last?
Based on 117,393 Volvo V70 vehicles on UK roads.
Volvo V70 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Volvo V70 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 V70
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
95.3% MOT pass rate from 127 tests
61.5% MOT pass rate from 384 tests
The best year to buy a used Volvo V70 is 2017, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 95.3% across 127 tests. The 1996 model year has the lowest pass rate at 61.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Volvo V70 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volvo V70 THIS CAR | 71.0% | 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 |
| Volvo XC90 | 74.6% | 1,122,947 | 87,449 mi | 23 yrs |
| Vauxhall Mokka | 81.2% | 1,998,465 | 43,952 mi | 13 yrs |
Compared to the Volvo V40 (73.7% pass rate) and the Volvo S40 (69.9% pass rate), the Volvo V70 sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Volvo V70 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 V70Should you buy a used Volvo V70?
The Volvo V70 has an overall MOT pass rate of 71.0% across 1,930,508 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Volvo V70 are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (67,106 recorded failures), position lamp(s) not working (56,250), and registration plate lamp not working (44,172). 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 V70 owner drives around 7,266 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 V70 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.