Used car guide

1990 Volvo 700 Series: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1990 Volvo 700 Seriess, from 239 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 239 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

239MOT tests in 2025
69%pass first time (all 1990 cars: 73%)
3,300typical miles a year
2.2×the usual rate for exhaust system

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 1990 Volvo 700 Seriess than on all cars registered in 1990.

  • Exhaust system2.2× usual
    Volvo 700 Series
    18% All 1990 cars
    8.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.1%, against 1.9% of all 1990 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

  • Tread depth2.7× usual
    Volvo 700 Series
    13.8% All 1990 cars
    5.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.5% of all 1990 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Brake discs2.4× usual
    Volvo 700 Series
    13.8% All 1990 cars
    5.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.3% of all 1990 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

By area

The share of 1990 Volvo 700 Series MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    42% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    33% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    31% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    26% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    22% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Tyres
    21% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

Looking at a Volvo 700 Series?

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Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1990 Volvo 700 Seriess registered in 1990. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score