Used car guide

2004 Volvo C70: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2004 Volvo C70s, from 416 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 416 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

416MOT tests in 2025
62%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 58%)
4,300typical miles a year
4×the usual rate for steering rack inner joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2004 Volvo C70s than on all cars registered in 2004.

  • Steering rack inner joints4× usual
    Volvo C70
    15.1% All 2004 cars
    3.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Flexible brake hoses2.1× usual
    Volvo C70
    11.8% All 2004 cars
    5.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 1.2% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£200 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.

  • Ball joint dust cover2.1× usual
    Volvo C70
    9.9% All 2004 cars
    4.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 1.8% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Individual direction indicators2.3× usual
    Volvo C70
    7.7% All 2004 cars
    3.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 1.5% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

By area

The share of 2004 Volvo C70 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    43% 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
    38% 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.

  • Tyres
    35% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    29% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Steering
    23% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    11% 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.

Looking at a Volvo C70?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2013232Tyres 38%
2012277Suspension 34%
2011459Suspension 43%
2010668Tyres 38%
2009735Suspension 47%
2008891Suspension 45%
20071,017Suspension 46%
2006866Suspension 46%
2005340Suspension 39%
2003343Suspension 41%
2002197Suspension 41%
2001167Brakes 35%
2000120Suspension 40%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2004 Volvo C70s registered in 2004. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score