1998 Volvo V70 · 3,130 MOT tests
1998 Volvo V70 reliability
1998 Volvo V70s fail 42.6% of first MOT tests, 5% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 18 of 20 V70 years (3,130 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Volvo V70s: 36.2%)
- 42.6%
- first-time fail rate (all Volvo V70s: 36.2%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 5% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 25
- 157,768
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 25
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 3,130
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
1998 against the years either side
- 1997 cars: about average for its age (the 1998 car does worse)
- 1999 cars: 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1998 car does worse)
- Weak spot: tyres, 6.8% of tests fail here (47% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: seat belts and airbags, 33% fewer fails than comparable cars.
Common problems
What fails on a 1998 Volvo V70
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics17.6%
- Brakes17.5%
- Suspension13.9%
- Body, chassis and structure10.3%
- Tyres6.8%
- Steering6.5%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks6.4%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
CV joint boot split or insecure 5.11%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
ABS warning lamp shows a fault 5.11%
A lit ABS warning means the anti-lock system may not work, so wheels could lock during emergency braking.
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 3.77%
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 3.29%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 2.94%
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.91%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Common advisories
Engine oil leak, not excessive (13.04%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (12.84%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (9.58%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (8.56%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (8.34%) · Number plate lettering deteriorating (6.42%)
Other years
Every Volvo V70 year
The full picture: Volvo V70 reliability. Before you pay for any Volvo V70, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 1998 Volvo V70 reliable?
1998 Volvo V70s fail 42.6% of first MOT tests, 5% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 18 of 20 V70 years (3,130 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 1998 Volvo V70 MOT?
Most often cv joint boot split or insecure (5.11% of tests), abs warning lamp shows a fault (5.11% of tests), parking brake efficiency below minimum (3.77% of tests).
How many miles should a 1998 Volvo V70 have done?
At its MOT aged about 25, a typical 1998 Volvo V70 shows 157,768 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
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