Home/Car check/Volvo/V70

Volvo V70 car check

Find out if a Volvo V70 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.

Typical price
£8,85744 at dealers
MOT failure rate
27%362k tests
Known problems
10across Mk2 to Mk3
Full report
£7.49one-off, no subscription

Which V70 are you looking at?

Each V70 generation has its own weak spots. Pick the one you’re viewing to see what to check.

  1. Timing belt service

    Safety risk Mk2

    All Mk2 V70 engines except the T6 use interference timing belts that must be replaced every 80,000 miles or 8 years. If the belt snaps, the pistons will collide with the open valves, causing catastrophic engine damage requiring full head rebuild or replacement. The water pump, tensioner, and idler pulley should be replaced simultaneously as they are driven by the same belt and failure of any component can cause belt breakage. This is the most critical service item on these engines.

    What to check: Open the bonnet and locate the timing belt cover on the right side of the engine (passenger side). Remove the upper cover if accessible and inspect the visible portion of the belt for cracking, fraying, or oil contamination. Check service history for timing belt replacement - look for receipts sh...

  2. Flexible brake hose deterioration

    Safety risk Mk2, Mk3

    V70 models show significantly higher rates of flexible brake hose failure compared to the national fleet average, with MOT data showing peak failure rates of 79.7x the fleet average. The flexible hoses connect the rigid brake lines to the brake calipers and allow for suspension movement. Over time, the rubber deteriorates, leading to cracking, bulging, or internal collapse that can cause brake failure. This is a dangerous defect that requires immediate attention.

    What to check: Inspect all four brake hoses (located near each wheel where the brake line connects to the caliper) for visible cracking, swelling, or damage to the rubber outer covering. Look for any wet patches or brake fluid residue around the hose connections. Check that the hoses are not twisted, kinked, or...

  3. Angle gear failure

    Wear item Mk2

    The angle gear (also called bevel gear) transfers power from the front differential to the rear driveshaft on all-wheel-drive V70 models. The unit contains its own oil supply and is located under the car near the front subframe. Bearing failure within the angle gear causes complete loss of rear-wheel drive, loud grinding noises, and potential seizure that can damage the front differential. High mileage examples are particularly susceptible, and the unit cannot be economically rebuilt - replacement is the only viable repair.

    What to check: Crawl under the front of the car (on level ground with handbrake applied) and locate the angle gear unit - a metal housing connected to the front differential with a driveshaft leading rearward. Check for oil leaks around the unit and examine the condition of oil on the ground underneath. Ask the...

  4. PCV failure

    Engine damage risk Mk2

    The Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) system on Mk2 5-cylinder turbocharged engines suffers from design flaws that cause excessive oil consumption and contamination of the intake system. The PCV valve and associated pipework allow oil vapour to be drawn into the turbocharger and intercooler, leading to blue smoke, oil loss, and reduced performance. Volvo issued Technical Service Bulletin TJ-31051-2008 acknowledging the problem and updating the PCV design. Failed systems can consume 1-2 litres of oil per 1000 miles.

    What to check: Check the engine oil level on the dipstick - PCV failure causes rapid oil consumption so the level may be low despite recent top-ups. Remove the oil filler cap with the engine off and look inside for excessive sludge or mayo-like deposits - these indicate oil vapour contamination. Check the inter...

  5. DPF issues

    Wear item Mk3

    The Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) on Mk3 diesel engines requires regular high-temperature regeneration to burn off accumulated soot particles. Cars used primarily for short journeys or stop-start driving cannot reach the temperatures needed for automatic regeneration, causing the DPF to clog with soot. This triggers warning lights, reduces power, and eventually requires expensive replacement or professional cleaning. The 1.6D DRIVe engine is particularly susceptible due to its lower operating temperatures.

    What to check: Check the dashboard for any DPF warning lights - these may be amber triangles, engine management lights, or specific DPF symbols. Ask the seller about the car's typical usage pattern - cars used mainly for short local journeys are at highest risk. Request evidence of forced DPF regeneration servi...

  6. Air suspension failure

    Wear item Mk3

    Mk3 V70 models equipped with Four-C (Continuously Controlled Chassis Concept) air suspension use electronically controlled air springs and dampers to adjust ride height and damping characteristics. The system is complex and expensive to maintain, with common failures including air spring leaks, compressor wear, height sensors, and control module faults. Cars with this system can be identified by ride height adjustment buttons in the cabin and the ability to raise/lower the car when parked.

    What to check: Walk around the car and check that it sits level - air suspension failure often causes one corner to sag noticeably. Look under the car for the air springs (large rubber bellows instead of conventional coil springs) and check for obvious damage or deflation. Check the dashboard for any suspension...

  7. Suspension component wear

    Wear item Mk2, Mk3

    MOT data shows V70 models fail at 68.1x the fleet average for suspension bush, pin, and joint wear. Common failure points include front wishbone bushes, rear trailing arm bushes, anti-roll bar drop links, and track rod ends. The suspension geometry on V70s places high loads on these components, particularly the rear multi-link setup on Mk3 models which uses multiple bushes and joints that wear over time and affect handling and tyre wear patterns.

    What to check: Walk around the car and check tyre wear patterns - uneven wear on the inside or outside edges indicates suspension geometry problems from worn bushes. Push down firmly on each corner of the car and release - it should return to position with minimal bouncing. Look under the car for obviously peri...

  8. Parking brake system failure

    Safety and MOT risk Mk2, Mk3

    MOT statistics show V70 models failing at up to 56.1x the fleet average for parking brake efficiency and operation problems. The system uses rear disc brakes with integrated parking brake mechanisms that are prone to seizure, cable stretch, and actuator wear. Common issues include parking brake cables corroding and stretching, rear brake caliper parking brake mechanisms seizing, and electronic parking brake module failures on later models equipped with EPB systems.

    What to check: Apply and release the parking brake several times, feeling for consistent resistance and full release - seized mechanisms often feel stiff or fail to release completely. Check underneath the rear of the car for corroded or stretched parking brake cables. On models with electronic parking brake, t...

  9. CV joint boot deterioration

    Wear item Mk2, Mk3

    MOT data shows V70 models failing at 28.2x the fleet average for CV joint boot deterioration. The rubber boots protect the constant velocity joints at each end of the drive shafts from dirt and moisture ingress. Once the boot splits, the CV joint grease escapes and contamination enters, leading to joint wear and eventual failure. This is particularly common on the outer CV joints which experience greater articulation during steering.

    What to check: Inspect the CV joint boots (rubber covers on the drive shafts near each front wheel) for visible splits, tears, or grease contamination around the wheel area. Look for grease splatter on the inside of the wheel rim or around the suspension components. Check both inner and outer CV joints on each ...

  10. Steering rack boot damage

    Wear item Mk2, Mk3

    MOT statistics show V70 models failing at 29.9x the fleet average for steering rack gaiter and ball joint dust cover damage. These rubber boots protect the steering rack mechanism and track rod end ball joints from dirt and moisture. When damaged, they allow contamination of the steering components and eventual wear of the rack and ball joints. The boots are particularly susceptible to damage from road debris and age-related perishing.

    What to check: Look underneath the front of the car at the steering rack (horizontal tube running across the car behind the front wheels) and inspect the rubber gaiters at each end for splits or damage. Check the track rod end dust covers (small rubber boots where the track rods connect to the steering arms) fo...

What V70s cost at dealers now

From 44 used V70s we track on UK dealer websites.

Typical asking price
£8,857
Typical mileage
80,958 miles
Price change vs last month
-18.7%

V70 MOT results

27%

of V70 MOT tests end in a fail, from 362,278 tests.

Most common reasons for failing

  1. Speedometer not illuminatedSpeedometer and speed limiter
  2. ABS faultBrakes
  3. Mandatory tell-tale for direction indicators mi...Lights & Electrics

Check the V70 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

V70 questions

Is the Volvo V70 reliable?

27% of V70 models fail their MOT based on 362,278 tests analysed. That’s below average for the class. There are 10 known problems to watch for, the most serious being timing belt service. 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 V70?

The most serious known issues are timing belt service, flexible brake hose deterioration, angle gear failure. Problems vary by generation, so check which apply to the year you’re looking at. Our car check flags whether a specific V70 has been written off or had insurance claims linked to these faults.

How do I check if a Volvo V70 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 V70 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 V70 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 V70 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 V70 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 V70 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 V70 fail its MOT on?

The most common MOT failure on the V70 is speedometer not illuminated. 27% of V70 models fail overall, based on 362,278 tests. Checking a car’s full MOT history before buying shows you recurring problems the seller might not mention.

More on the V70

Other Volvo car checks

Volvo 24030.4% MOT failure rate Volvo 700 Series5 known problems Volvo 800 Series5 known problems Volvo 900 Series5 known problems Volvo C3025% MOT failure rate Volvo C7026.5% MOT failure rate

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