Volvo XC70 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Volvo XC70 car check
Is the Volvo XC70 reliable? We analysed 361,836 real MOT tests across 23,034 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Volvo XC70? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Volvo XC70 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include position lamp(s) not working, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm and registration plate lamp not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Volvo XC70.
Volvo XC70 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Volvo XC70. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Volvo XC70 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Volvo XC70 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Volvo XC70 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Volvo XC70 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Volvo XC70 Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Volvo XC70 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Volvo XC70 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Volvo XC70 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Volvo XC70 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Volvo XC70 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 116 | 81.9% | 72,098 | 107,306 | 133,729 |
| 2016 | 9,130 | 84.0% | 39,954 | 57,624 | 81,260 |
| 2015 | 16,014 | 84.9% | 42,712 | 62,699 | 88,557 |
| 2014 | 19,364 | 84.1% | 45,957 | 68,504 | 96,104 |
| 2013 | 20,006 | 82.6% | 50,133 | 74,833 | 105,279 |
| 2012 | 19,492 | 80.5% | 52,222 | 79,496 | 112,272 |
| 2011 | 29,845 | 80.5% | 54,776 | 84,684 | 118,695 |
| 2010 | 25,099 | 79.7% | 60,914 | 92,850 | 129,202 |
| 2009 | 19,983 | 80.3% | 60,106 | 93,059 | 129,201 |
| 2008 | 21,650 | 79.7% | 64,909 | 100,062 | 137,552 |
| 2007 | 34,014 | 75.1% | 66,928 | 101,709 | 137,966 |
| 2006 | 36,760 | 73.4% | 69,717 | 105,810 | 142,271 |
| 2005 | 44,013 | 73.3% | 74,345 | 113,506 | 153,466 |
| 2004 | 32,907 | 70.7% | 75,086 | 114,093 | 153,855 |
| 2003 | 25,727 | 68.8% | 75,926 | 113,777 | 153,764 |
| 2002 | 6,435 | 67.8% | 79,192 | 113,916 | 150,562 |
| 2001 | 224 | 69.6% | 77,291 | 112,134 | 148,620 |
How Long Does a Volvo XC70 Last?
Based on 23,034 Volvo XC70 vehicles on UK roads.
Volvo XC70 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Volvo XC70 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 XC70
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
84.9% MOT pass rate from 16,014 tests
67.8% MOT pass rate from 6,435 tests
The best year to buy a used Volvo XC70 is 2015, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 84.9% across 16,014 tests. The 2002 model year has the lowest pass rate at 67.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Volvo XC70 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volvo XC70 THIS CAR | 76.9% | 361,836 | 93,915 mi | 24 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 |
| Volkswagen Caravelle | 71.2% | 422,168 | 107,704 mi | 43 yrs |
Compared to the Volvo V70 (71.0% pass rate) and the Volvo V40 (73.7% pass rate), the Volvo XC70 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Volvo XC70 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 XC70Should you buy a used Volvo XC70?
The Volvo XC70 has an overall MOT pass rate of 76.9% across 361,836 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Volvo XC70 are position lamp(s) not working (4,853 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4,268), and registration plate lamp not working (3,654). 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.
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 XC70 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 XC70 owner drives around 7,931 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 XC70 models stay on UK roads for around 24 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.