What goes wrong, what it costs, and what to check before you buy a used Volvo S70.
The Volvo S70 occupies a niche position on the UK market.
We track 5 known issues across the Volvo S70 range, including 1 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Volvo S70? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
P80 (1997–2000) — Engine options included the 2.3 20V, 2.4 20V. Our database flags 5 known issues on this generation, 1 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Brake hose deterioration and corrosion (£120–£250 to address).
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.
Failed brake hoses can cause complete brake failure on the affected circuit. This is immediately dangerous and the vehicle must not be driven. Emergency brake hose replacement costs £150-300 but the car is unsafe until repaired.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
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.
Worn shock absorber bushes reduce vehicle stability and increase stopping distances. The suspension cannot control wheel movement effectively, leading to premature tyre wear and poor handling. Complete bush replacement across all four corners typically costs £300-600 depending on access requirements.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
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.
Worn suspension joints compromise vehicle control and can lead to dangerous handling characteristics. In severe cases, ball joint failure can cause loss of steering control. Front suspension rebuild including ball joints and drop links typically costs £400-800 depending on the extent of wear.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
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.
A fractured spring makes the car dangerous to drive due to unpredictable handling and potential tyre contact with the wheel arch. The broken spring end can also damage the tyre sidewall. Spring replacement typically costs £200-400 including labour.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
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.
A split CV boot allows the joint to fail within months if not repaired. CV joint replacement costs significantly more than boot replacement. Early intervention with boot replacement costs £100-200 per side, while full CV joint replacement costs £300-500 per side.
Listen for clunking or vibration from underneath when pulling away or changing direction. Check for play in the driveshafts by rocking the car in gear with the handbrake on. Worn CV boots are a telltale sign — look for grease splatter around the inner wheel arch.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Volvo S70 common problems page.
Based on 3k real DVSA MOT tests, the Volvo S70 fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is headlight fault at 158x the fleet average, followed by brake hoses perished or damaged (34x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Volvo S70 MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 10k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.
See the full Volvo S70 service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Volvo S70 has some well-documented weak points, including 1 safety-critical issue that demand careful checking. The right example, properly maintained, can still be a sound purchase — but cutting corners on the pre-purchase inspection is not advisable.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Volvo S70, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 5 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 5 known Volvo S70 issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.