Used car guide

2003 Volvo XC70: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 Volvo XC70s, from 389 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 389 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

389MOT tests in 2025
53%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 59%)
7,500typical miles a year
2.9×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2003 Volvo XC70s than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.9× usual
    Volvo XC70
    25.4% All 2003 cars
    8.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.4%, against 1.8% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Steering rack inner joints3.9× usual
    Volvo XC70
    13.6% All 2003 cars
    3.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2003 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.

  • Number plate lights2.2× usual
    Volvo XC70
    17.5% All 2003 cars
    7.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.9%, against 2.2% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

  • Sidelights2.3× usual
    Volvo XC70
    13.9% All 2003 cars
    6.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 12.3%, against 5.4% of all 2003 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.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints3× usual
    Volvo XC70
    9.5% All 2003 cars
    3.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 1.1% of all 2003 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.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 5.1% here, against 18.3% of all 2003 cars.

By area

The share of 2003 Volvo XC70 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    61% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    42% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Brakes
    40% 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
    31% 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
    25% 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.

  • Steering
    22% 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.

Looking at a Volvo XC70?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20161,020Tyres 29%
20151,611Tyres 25%
20141,741Tyres 26%
20131,574Tyres 28%
20121,298Suspension 32%
20111,799Suspension 36%
20101,365Suspension 35%
2009978Suspension 38%
2008937Suspension 46%
20071,155Suspension 52%
20061,029Suspension 54%
20051,102Suspension 56%
2004612Suspension 58%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2003 Volvo XC70s registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score