Volvo V70 MOT Failures
An analysis of 291,136 real DVSA MOT tests on the Volvo V70 — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: Mk2 (1997–2007), Mk3 (2007–2016).
Where the Volvo V70 fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Volvo V70 is headlight fault — this model is 39 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 291,136 MOT tests, 5.94% of all Volvo V70 tests recorded this as a failure.
Lighting faults are usually straightforward to fix (bulbs, connectors, earth points) but can indicate deeper wiring issues on older cars. Check all lights including fog lamps, number plate lights, and dashboard warning lights.
Other notable weak points include emissions failure (239x the fleet average), brake hoses perished or damaged (67x the fleet average), anti-roll bar links worn (68x the fleet average), and fuel system leaking, or missing or ineffective ... (20x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Volvo V70'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 6 categories: Lights & Electrics, Exhaust & Emissions, Brakes, Suspension, Bodywork and others. If you're inspecting a Volvo V70 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 V70'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.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Volvo V70 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are speedometer not illuminated (424x the average) and abs fault (369x). mandatory tell-tale for direction indicators mi... (351x) and mandatory tell-tale for main beam headlamp or r... (343x) also appear frequently.
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 V70 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are emissions failure (229x the average) and lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a m... (27x). headlight fault (26x) and fuel system leaking, or missing or ineffective ... (20x) also appear frequently.
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 V70 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are track rod ends worn (76x the average) and headlight fault (24x). anti-roll bar links worn (20x) and fuel tank, pipe or hose insecure (16x) also appear frequently.
The shift from speedometer not illuminated at lower mileages to track rod ends worn 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 V70 specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Timing belt service (Mk2) Dangerous
All Mk2 V70 engines except the T6 use interference timing belts that must be replaced every 80,000 miles or 8 years. Affects Mk2; typical independent garage repair cost is £400–£600.
Flexible brake hose deterioration Dangerous
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. Affects Mk2, Mk3; typical independent garage repair cost is £150–£300.
Angle gear failure (AWD) Major
The angle gear (also called bevel gear) transfers power from the front differential to the rear driveshaft on all-wheel-drive V70 models. Affects Mk2; typical independent garage repair cost is £800–£1,500.
PCV failure (Mk2) Major
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. Affects Mk2; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£500.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Volvo V70 common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Volvo V70
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Volvo V70:
Lights & Electrics — check for headlight fault, mandatory tell-tale for main beam headlamp or r.... Exhaust & Emissions — check for emissions failure. Brakes — check for brake hoses perished or damaged, abs fault. Suspension — check for anti-roll bar links worn.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about timing belt service and flexible brake hose deterioration. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £400. 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.
Looking at a specific Volvo V70?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Volvo V70 MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Volvo V70?
Based on 291,136 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is headlight fault — at 39x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include emissions failure and brake hoses perished or damaged.
Is the Volvo V70 reliable based on MOT data?
The Volvo V70 has 22 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag timing belt service as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Volvo V70 most commonly fails on track rod ends worn and headlight fault. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are speedometer not illuminated and abs fault.
How do I check a Volvo V70's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
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.