Sports car and convertible · 1997–2015 cars
Volvo C70 reliability
The Volvo C70 fails 38.9% of first MOT tests, 3% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 29,733 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Volvo C70 before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 38.9%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 3% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 29,733
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 6,700
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Volvo C70 ages
Each point is the share of Volvo C70s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Volvo C70 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | 27.8% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 32.9% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 31.9% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 41.9% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 42.9% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 41.9% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 42.5% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 39.4% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 42.6% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 39.3% | 43.5% |
| 19 | 34.4% | 43.4% |
| 20 | 32.7% | 42.8% |
| 21 | 33.4% | 41.4% |
| 22 | 30.4% | 40.6% |
| 23 | 34.2% | 38.9% |
| 24 | 31.1% | 37.1% |
By year
The best and worst Volvo C70 years
2003 cars come out best and 2011 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 835 | 29.7% | 6% more fails | 60,232 |
| 2012 C70 | 1,004 | 29.8% | 5% fewer fails | 66,429 |
| 2011 C70 | 1,719 | 39.6% | 12% more fails | 80,369 |
| 2010 C70 | 2,623 | 39.6% | 5% more fails | 86,751 |
| 2009 C70 | 3,087 | 42.6% | 7% more fails | 89,741 |
| 2008 C70 | 3,999 | 41.4% | 1% fewer fails | 103,011 |
| 2007 C70 | 4,393 | 41.2% | 3% fewer fails | 99,728 |
| 2006 C70 | 3,863 | 43.5% | 2% more fails | 96,365 |
| 2005 C70 | 1,548 | 37.8% | 8% fewer fails | 88,975 |
| 2004 C70 | 2,001 | 35.6% | 15% fewer fails | 87,897 |
| 2003 C70 | 1,629 | 34.9% | 17% fewer fails | 89,824 |
| 2002 C70 | 1,055 | 34.9% | 16% fewer fails | 96,505 |
| 2001 | 816 | 30.6% | 24% fewer fails | 96,028 |
| 2000 | 512 | 32.4% | 20% fewer fails | 106,728 |
| 1999 | 419 | 30.8% | 21% fewer fails | 105,548 |
| 1998 | 223 | 33.2% | 13% fewer fails | 114,425 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Volvo C70
Its weak spot is tyres: 41% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Suspension15.5%1% above avg
- Lights and electrics14.2%24% below avg
- Brakes10.3%6% below avg
- Tyres9.7%41% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure7.3%4% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.2%37% below avg
- Steering3.8%15% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.5%40% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags1.3%39% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Coil spring fractured or broken 5.77% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 2
CV joint boot split or insecure 4.69% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 3
Tyre ply or cords exposed 3.58% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 4
Position lamp not working 3.34% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 5
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 2.77% of tests
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
- 6
Shock absorber serious fluid leak 2.32% of tests
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
- 7
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 2.19% of tests
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
- 8
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.82% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Volvo C70's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit16.39%
- Brake disc pitted or scored9.33%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear8.1%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking7.2%
- Brake pads wearing thin6.08%
- Coil spring showing some corrosion5.43%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Volvo C70
- 1
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 2
CV joint boot split or insecure
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 3
Tyre ply or cords exposed
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 4
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Volvo C70 covers about 6,700 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Petrol52.6%
- Diesel47.3%
- LPG0.1%
Most common colours
Blue, Silver, Black, Red, White
Average engine size: 2.2 litres.
Compare
How the Volvo C70 compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Jaguar XK | 17.8% | 44% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Jaguar XKR | 22.6% | 37% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| MINI Paceman | 15.5% | 36% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mercedes-Benz SLC | 11.8% | 18% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Toyota MR2 | 33.3% | 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Toyota Celica | 39.4% | 8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volvo C70 | 38.9% | 3% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every sports car and convertible ranked in the sports car and convertible reliability index, or all Volvo models.
Questions
Volvo C70 questions, answered
Is the Volvo C70 reliable?
On MOT results, the Volvo C70 is about average: it fails 38.9% of first MOT tests, 3% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 58 of 62 sports car and convertible models in our index.
What fails most on a Volvo C70 MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Volvo C70 are coil spring fractured or broken (5.77% of tests), cv joint boot split or insecure (4.69% of tests), tyre ply or cords exposed (3.58% of tests). By area, suspension fails 15.5% of its tests.
Which Volvo C70 year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2003 cars do best (17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2011 cars do worst (12% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Volvo C70 do a year?
A typical Volvo C70 covers about 6,700 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Volvo C70 before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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