Large SUV · 2000–2018 cars
Volvo XC70 reliability
The Volvo XC70 fails 29.9% of first MOT tests, 21% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 59,530 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Volvo XC70 before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 29.9%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 21% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 59,530
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 10,300
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Volvo XC70 ages
Each point is the share of Volvo XC70s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Volvo XC70 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 20.4% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 17.6% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 19.1% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 22.6% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 22.1% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 24.1% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 28.2% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 28.9% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 29.4% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 31% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 35.1% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 38.6% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 40.1% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 42.4% | 43.5% |
| 19 | 46% | 43.4% |
| 20 | 42.3% | 42.8% |
| 21 | 40.4% | 41.4% |
By year
The best and worst Volvo XC70 years
2009 cars come out best and 2004 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 XC70 | 3,439 | 21.5% | 6% fewer fails | 66,677 |
| 2015 XC70 | 5,516 | 18.9% | 27% fewer fails | 75,218 |
| 2014 XC70 | 5,873 | 21.1% | 28% fewer fails | 86,315 |
| 2013 XC70 | 5,221 | 24.2% | 26% fewer fails | 95,503 |
| 2012 XC70 | 4,438 | 27.4% | 23% fewer fails | 105,046 |
| 2011 XC70 | 5,896 | 27.8% | 28% fewer fails | 113,584 |
| 2010 XC70 | 4,622 | 29.4% | 28% fewer fails | 125,880 |
| 2009 XC70 | 3,446 | 28.8% | 33% fewer fails | 128,488 |
| 2008 XC70 | 3,420 | 30.1% | 31% fewer fails | 138,785 |
| 2007 XC70 | 4,436 | 38.4% | 15% fewer fails | 141,151 |
| 2006 XC70 | 3,996 | 39.5% | 13% fewer fails | 144,536 |
| 2005 XC70 | 4,369 | 41.6% | 9% fewer fails | 159,006 |
| 2004 XC70 | 2,675 | 45.8% | 1% fewer fails | 161,290 |
| 2003 XC70 | 1,727 | 45.6% | 1% fewer fails | 161,370 |
| 2002 | 361 | 38.8% | 15% fewer fails | 158,258 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Volvo XC70
Its weak spot is steering: 23% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics12.8%25% below avg
- Suspension10.1%29% below avg
- Brakes7.5%27% below avg
- Tyres5.7%25% below avg
- Steering4%23% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3.5%39% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure2.7%55% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.1%77% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.7%61% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Position lamp not working 3.8% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 2
Coil spring fractured or broken 3.3% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 3
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 2.01% of tests
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
- 4
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 1.97% of tests
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
- 5
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.9% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 6
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 1.58% of tests
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
- 7
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.58% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 8
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.56% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Volvo XC70's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit14.62%
- Brake disc pitted or scored8.56%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear8.15%
- Brake pads wearing thin7.06%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking5.44%
- Coil spring showing some corrosion4.39%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Volvo XC70
- 1
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.
- 2
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 3
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
- 4
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
- 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 XC70 covers about 10,300 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
- Diesel95.1%
- Petrol4.9%
- LPG0%
Most common colours
Silver, Black, Blue, Gold, Grey
Average engine size: 2.4 litres.
Compare
How the Volvo XC70 compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| BMW X6 | 15.1% | 44% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mercedes-Benz GLE | 10.6% | 42% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Toyota Land Cruiser | 28.6% | 25% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee | 25.3% | 23% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volvo XC70 | 29.9% | 21% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Land Rover Range Rover Velar | 13.7% | 13% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mitsubishi Shogun | 33.1% | 11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every large suv ranked in the large suv reliability index, or all Volvo models.
Questions
Volvo XC70 questions, answered
Is the Volvo XC70 reliable?
On MOT results, the Volvo XC70 is better than average: it fails 29.9% of first MOT tests, 21% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 21 of 30 large suv models in our index.
What fails most on a Volvo XC70 MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Volvo XC70 are position lamp not working (3.8% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (3.3% of tests), headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (2.01% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 12.8% of its tests.
Which Volvo XC70 year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2009 cars do best (33% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2004 cars do worst (about average for its age).
How many miles does a Volvo XC70 do a year?
A typical Volvo XC70 covers about 10,300 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 XC70 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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