VOLVO V70 Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 5,177 MOT tests from 261 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®. The figures below describe that VehicleScore® sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are not a claim that every VOLVO V70 has the same fault.

VOLVO V70's have a average reliability rating of 480/999. The score was calculated from the average of every VOLVO V70 that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the VOLVO V70.

VOLVO V70 (example)

Check the reliability of your Volvo V70

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
Diesel	2015	675/999Good	87,459 miles	712 vehicles
Diesel	2014	657/999Good	88,481 miles	1,188 vehicles
Diesel	2013	557/999Above average	86,376 miles	2,000 vehicles
Diesel	2010	499/999Average	79,893 miles	3,329 vehicles
Diesel	2007	482/999Average	76,914 miles	3,392 vehicles
Diesel	2003	394/999Fair	86,833 miles	1,872 vehicles
Petrol	2003	389/999Fair	90,050 miles	3,114 vehicles
Diesel	2002	374/999Fair	86,832 miles	1,904 vehicles
Petrol	2001	403/999Average	91,458 miles	4,062 vehicles
Diesel	2000	373/999Fair	99,951 miles	932 vehicles
Petrol	1999	473/999Average	104,756 miles	1,182 vehicles
Petrol	1998	482/999Average	108,712 miles	666 vehicles

How reliable is the VOLVO V70?

Based on 5,177 MOT tests from 261 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®.

Vehicles

261

MOT tests

5,177

Pass rate

74.8%

Median mileage

136,673 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every VOLVO V70 has the same fault. The median VehicleScore® in this sample is 496 out of 999.

Common VOLVO V70 MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 797 advisory comments and 87 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 166 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR COIL SPRING CORRODED (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 132 advisory comments and 18 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Registration plate condition

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 131 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a number plate that was deteriorated, insecure, or did not meet the plate rules.

What to inspect

Check both plates are secure, clean, and clearly readable.

Example MOT wording: FRONT REGISTRATION PLATE DETERIORATED BUT NOT LIKELY TO BE MISREAD (0.1 (B))

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 128 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a parking brake that did not hold well enough or had a component defect.

What to inspect

Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Example MOT wording: PARKING BRAKE EFFICIENCY BELOW REQUIREMENTS (1.4.2 (A) (I))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 125 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT POSITION LAMP NOT WORKING (4.2.1 (A) (II))

Oil leak

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 120 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Suspension arm issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 73 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a worn, corroded, or damaged suspension arm or its pin.

What to inspect

Look for play or corrosion at the arm and ask whether it has been replaced.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT SUSPENSION ARM PIN OR BUSH WORN BUT NOT RESULTING IN EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT (5.3.4 (A) (I))

VOLVO V70 MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore® has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2015	6	56	83.9%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2014	12	128	80.5%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2013	10	118	84.7%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2012	6	90	78.9%	Tyre wear, Registration plate condition
2011	11	164	77.4%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2010	16	255	79.2%	Tyre wear, Indicator faults
2009	16	305	78.7%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2008	18	318	82.7%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2007	22	479	72.2%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2006	18	399	73.9%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2005	24	546	73.8%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2004	15	384	71.1%	Tyre wear, Parking brake faults
2003	19	481	72.1%	Tyre wear, Lamp and bulb faults
2002	13	364	70.6%	Tyre wear, Steering rack issues
2001	9	245	72.2%	Tyre wear, Windscreen damage
2000	9	211	75.8%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
1999	5	121	71.9%	Exhaust, Anti-roll bar issues
1998	5	99	72.7%	Corrosion, Coil spring issues
1997	8	201	70.6%	Tyre wear, Indicator faults

What to check when buying a used VOLVO V70

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore® sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Registration plate condition. Check both plates are secure, clean, and clearly readable.
Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.
Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Suspension arm issues. Look for play or corrosion at the arm and ask whether it has been replaced.

Buying a VOLVO V70?

Common problems tell you what can affect VOLVO V70s generally. VehicleScore® can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore® analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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