2003 Volvo V70 · 9,202 MOT tests
2003 Volvo V70 reliability
2003 Volvo V70s fail 46.3% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 16 of 20 V70 years (9,202 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Volvo V70s: 36.2%)
- 46.3%
- first-time fail rate (all Volvo V70s: 36.2%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 2% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- 153,232
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 9,202
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2003 against the years either side
- 2002 cars: 6% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does better)
- 2004 cars: about average for its age (the 2003 car does worse)
- Weak spot: tyres, 9.3% of tests fail here (32% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: seat belts and airbags, 53% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2003 car carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
Common problems
What fails on a 2003 Volvo V70
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics26.2%
- Brakes17.1%
- Suspension13.8%
- Tyres9.3%
- Body, chassis and structure8.7%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.9%
- Steering4.9%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 10.03%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 4.83%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 4.81%
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
CV joint boot split or insecure 3.86%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 3.27%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Dipped beam headlamp not working 3.14%
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (17.09%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (16.39%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (11.04%) · Slight play in steering rack joints (9.63%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (9.35%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (8.13%)
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 2003 Volvo V70 reliable?
2003 Volvo V70s fail 46.3% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 16 of 20 V70 years (9,202 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2003 Volvo V70 MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (10.03% of tests), headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (4.83% of tests), parking brake efficiency below minimum (4.81% of tests).
How many miles should a 2003 Volvo V70 have done?
At its MOT aged about 19, a typical 2003 Volvo V70 shows 153,232 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2003 car?
A car first registered in 2003 carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
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