Used car guide

1998 Volvo V70: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1998 Volvo V70s, from 684 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

684MOT tests in 2025
60%pass first time (all 1998 cars: 66%)
6,000typical miles a year
1.9×the usual rate for tread depth

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 1998 Volvo V70s than on all cars registered in 1998.

  • Tread depth1.9× usual
    Volvo V70
    20% All 1998 cars
    10.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 1.1% of all 1998 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.

  • Coil springs1.9× usual
    Volvo V70
    13.2% All 1998 cars
    7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.9% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.1× usual
    Volvo V70
    10.8% All 1998 cars
    5.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 2.1% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Brake pads2.3× usual
    Volvo V70
    9.8% All 1998 cars
    4.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 0.9% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

  • Steering rack inner joints2.5× usual
    Volvo V70
    7.9% All 1998 cars
    3.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 1998 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.

By area

The share of 1998 Volvo V70 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    46% 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
    37% 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
    36% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    33% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    19% 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
    17% 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.

Looking at a Volvo V70?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2016756Tyres 29%
20152,001Tyres 30%
20141,957Tyres 32%
20131,725Tyres 32%
20121,539Suspension 35%
20112,037Tyres 35%
20102,749Suspension 39%
20093,454Suspension 42%
20083,116Suspension 46%
20072,429Suspension 48%
20062,386Suspension 47%
20052,999Suspension 48%
20042,507Suspension 50%
20032,153Suspension 52%
20021,911Suspension 53%
20011,293Suspension 49%
20001,079Suspension 52%
1999824Suspension 55%
1997464Suspension 46%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1998 Volvo V70s registered in 1998. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score