Volvo S70 MOT Failures

An analysis of 6,091 real DVSA MOT tests on the Volvo S70 — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: P80 (1997–2000).

Where the Volvo S70 fails its MOT

The single biggest MOT failure point on the Volvo S70 is abs fault — this model is 31 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a significant weak point for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 6,091 MOT tests, 12.42% of all Volvo S70 tests recorded this as a failure.

Suspension failures typically mean worn bushes, drop links, or dampers. These affect handling and tyre wear. Budget £150–£400 per corner at an independent garage for full suspension overhaul.

Other notable weak points include brake hoses perished or damaged (34x the fleet average), headlight fault (158x the fleet average), light unit fault (13x the fleet average), and wiper fault (7.1x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Volvo S70's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.

The failures span 5 categories: Suspension, Brakes, Lights & Electrics, Wipers & Windscreen, Exhaust & Emissions. If you're inspecting a Volvo S70 before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.

How failures change with mileage

The Volvo S70's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.

60,000 to 100,000 miles

This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.

For the Volvo S70 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are brake hoses perished or damaged (34x the average) and abs fault (17x).

Over 100,000 miles

High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.

For the Volvo S70 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are headlight fault (158x the average) and abs fault (31x). subframe bushes or mounts worn (31x) and suspension component damaged or corroded (15x) also appear frequently.

The shift from brake hoses perished or damaged at lower mileages to headlight fault at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.

Known issues beyond the MOT

An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Volvo S70 specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.

Brake hose deterioration and corrosion Dangerous

Flexible brake hoses and their metal ferrule connections deteriorate rapidly on the S70, with MOT failure rates up to 7 times the national average. Affects P80; typical independent garage repair cost is £120–£250.

Shock absorber bush excessive wear Major

The rubber bushes that mount the shock absorbers to the vehicle body deteriorate rapidly on the S70, particularly the top mount bushes. Affects P80; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£400.

Suspension component joint excessive wear Major

Ball joints, drop links, and suspension arm bushes deteriorate at an accelerated rate on the S70. Affects P80; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£600.

Rear spring fracture Major

Rear coil springs fracture at over 3 times the national average rate on the S70, particularly on higher mileage examples. Affects P80; typical independent garage repair cost is £150–£300.

For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Volvo S70 common problems breakdown.

What to check before buying a Volvo S70

Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Volvo S70:

Suspension — check for abs fault, subframe bushes or mounts worn, suspension component damaged or corroded. Brakes — check for brake hoses perished or damaged. Lights & Electrics — check for headlight fault, light unit fault.

Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about brake hose deterioration and corrosion and shock absorber bush excessive wear. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £120. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.

Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.

MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.