VOLVO XC70 Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 2,364 MOT tests from 152 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 XC70 has the same fault.

VOLVO XC70's have a slightly over average reliability rating of 552/999. The score was calculated from the average of every VOLVO XC70 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 XC70.

VOLVO XC70 (example)

Check the reliability of your Volvo XC70

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
Diesel	2017	695/999Good	80,419 miles	651 vehicles
Diesel	2014	651/999Good	85,018 miles	1,225 vehicles
Diesel	2012	550/999Above average	75,277 miles	1,606 vehicles
Diesel	2011	546/999Above average	75,200 miles	1,445 vehicles
Diesel	2008	534/999Above average	76,158 miles	1,235 vehicles
Diesel	2007	481/999Average	82,940 miles	1,279 vehicles
Diesel	2003	407/999Average	91,907 miles	599 vehicles

How reliable is the VOLVO XC70?

Based on 2,364 MOT tests from 152 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®.

Vehicles

152

MOT tests

2,364

Pass rate

80.1%

Median mileage

132,202 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every VOLVO XC70 has the same fault. The median VehicleScore® in this sample is 578 out of 999.

Common VOLVO XC70 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 437 advisory comments and 7 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))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 96 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. 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: FRONT BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (3.5.1G)

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 30 advisory comments and 43 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 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 disc wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 43 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 34 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: ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WARNING LAMP INDICATES AN ABS FAULT (1.6 (B))

Oil leak

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 27 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))

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 22 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))

Track rod wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 20 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 play or damage at a track rod or track rod end.

What to inspect

Check for play when the steering wheel is rocked and listen for a knock while turning.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT TRACK ROD END BALL JOINT HAS EXCESSIVE PLAY (2.1.3 (B) (I))

VOLVO XC70 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
2016	9	89	83.1%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2015	12	108	83.3%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2014	24	284	84.5%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2013	19	257	82.5%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2012	6	77	80.5%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2011	18	292	80.8%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2010	13	223	81.6%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2009	7	130	81.5%	Tyre wear, Suspension bush issues
2008	14	251	84.1%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2007	11	245	74.7%	Tyre wear, Oil leak
2005	8	195	73.3%	Shock absorber issues, Brake disc wear

What to check when buying a used VOLVO XC70

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.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
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.
Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.
Track rod wear. Check for play when the steering wheel is rocked and listen for a knock while turning.

Buying a VOLVO XC70?

Common problems tell you what can affect VOLVO XC70s 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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