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Volvo S70 car check

Find out if a Volvo S70 has outstanding finance, has been written off or stolen, how many owners it’s had, and which known problems apply to the generation you’re looking at.

Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian. Results in under a minute.

MOT failure rate
29.2%161 tests
Known problems
5across P80
Full report
£7.49one-off, no subscription

Which S70 are you looking at?

Each S70 generation has its own weak spots. Here are the known problems.

  1. Brake hose deterioration and corrosion

    Safety risk P80

    Flexible brake hoses and their metal ferrule connections deteriorate rapidly on the S70, with MOT failure rates up to 7 times the national average. The rubber hoses become stretched and cracked while the metal ferrules corrode, potentially causing brake fluid loss and brake failure. This affects the 2.4-litre variant most severely at higher mileages.

    What to check: Examine all flexible brake hoses visually for cracking, bulging, or chafing against suspension components. Look particularly at the front hoses where they connect to the brake calipers. Check the metal ferrule connections at both ends of each flexible hose for corrosion, green deposits, or brake ...

  2. Shock absorber bush excessive wear

    Wear item P80

    The rubber bushes that mount the shock absorbers to the vehicle body deteriorate rapidly on the S70, particularly the top mount bushes. MOT data shows this model fails at over 31 times the national average rate for shock absorber bush wear, with the problem concentrated on higher mileage 2.4-litre variants. The deteriorated bushes allow excessive movement in the suspension, affecting handling and tyre wear patterns.

    What to check: Visually inspect the top of each front shock absorber tower in the engine bay for cracked or perished rubber bushes around the shock mount. Check for oil staining on the inner wing panels that might indicate shock absorber fluid leakage through degraded seals. Look under the rear of the car for s...

  3. Suspension component joint excessive wear

    Wear item P80

    Ball joints, drop links, and suspension arm bushes deteriorate at an accelerated rate on the S70. MOT statistics show failure rates over 30 times the national average, particularly on the 2.4-litre variants approaching six-figure mileages. The front anti-roll bar drop links and lower ball joints are the most commonly affected components.

    What to check: Jack up each front wheel in turn and check for play in the ball joints by gripping the tyre at 12 and 6 o'clock positions and rocking it. Excessive movement indicates worn ball joints. Examine the rubber dust boots on ball joints and CV joints for splits or deterioration. Check the anti-roll bar ...

  4. Rear spring fracture

    Wear item P80

    Rear coil springs fracture at over 3 times the national average rate on the S70, particularly on higher mileage examples. The springs typically break near the bottom coil where corrosion weakens the steel. A broken spring causes the affected corner to drop significantly and makes the car unsafe to drive.

    What to check: Walk around the car and check that it sits level - a corner that appears noticeably lower than the others indicates a broken spring. Look at the rear springs through the wheel arches for obvious fractures or separated coils. Check for rust staining or corrosion on the spring coils, particularly n...

  5. Driveshaft CV joint boot deterioration

    Wear item P80

    CV joint rubber boots split and deteriorate at nearly 4 times the national average on the S70. Once split, the CV joint loses its protective grease and ingests dirt and water, leading to joint wear and eventual failure. The outer CV joints are most commonly affected on higher mileage examples.

    What to check: Examine each CV joint boot (at both ends of each front driveshaft) for splits, tears, or grease leakage. Look for grease deposits on the inside of the wheel rim which indicate a recently split boot. Check that the boot clamps are secure and not damaged.

S70 MOT results

29.2%

of S70 MOT tests end in a fail, from 161 tests.

Most common reasons for failing

  1. Headlight faultLights & Electrics
  2. ABS faultSuspension
  3. Subframe bushes or mounts wornSuspension

Check the S70 you’re buying

One report covers outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and previous owners from Experian, plus MOT history, mileage and the known problems for its generation.

Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian.

What the check includes

S70 questions

Is the Volvo S70 reliable?

29.2% of S70 models fail their MOT based on 161 tests analysed. That’s below average for the class. There are 5 known problems to watch for, the most serious being brake hose deterioration and corrosion. A full history check shows whether a specific car has had related write-offs or insurance claims.

What are the main problems with a Volvo S70?

The most serious known issues are brake hose deterioration and corrosion, shock absorber bush excessive wear, suspension component joint excessive wear. Our car check flags whether a specific S70 has been written off or had insurance claims linked to these faults.

How do I check if a Volvo S70 has outstanding finance?

Enter the registration on this page. We query Experian’s finance database and return any outstanding agreements within a minute. If finance is still owed, the finance company can legally repossess the car even after you’ve paid the seller. At £7.49 it’s the cheapest way to avoid a car that isn’t legally for sale.

How do I check if a Volvo S70 has been written off?

Our check queries Experian’s insurance write-off database for Cat A, B, S and N markers. A Cat S or N S70 has been structurally or non-structurally damaged and repaired. This doesn’t mean it’s unsafe, but it affects resale value and some insurers won’t cover it. The check costs £7.49.

Can I check a Volvo S70 for free?

You can check MOT history free on GOV.UK, which shows past test results and advisories. What it won’t show is outstanding finance, write-offs or theft markers, which are the things that actually cost you money after you’ve bought. Our full check adds all of that for £7.49, using Experian data.

Is a Volvo S70 HPI check worth it?

HPI is one brand of car check. Our check uses the same Experian data covering finance, stolen, write-off and keeper history, plus MOT analysis and known S70 faults that HPI doesn’t include. At £7.49 it’s typically less than half the price of an HPI check.

What does a Volvo S70 fail its MOT on?

The most common MOT failure on the S70 is headlight fault. 29.2% of S70 models fail overall, based on 161 tests. Checking a car’s full MOT history before buying shows you recurring problems the seller might not mention.

More on the S70

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Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian. MOT data from DVSA. Known problems from GetCarWise analysis. Updated October 2026.