2011 Volvo XC70: common problems and what to check
What gets flagged at MOT on 2011 Volvo XC70s, from 1,799 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
What stands out
Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2011 Volvo XC70s than on all cars registered in 2011.
- Individual direction indicators1.9× usualVolvo XC705.8% All 2011 cars3.1%
Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 1.2% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £10–£80 our estimateAt the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.
- Side repeaters2.1× usualVolvo XC702.7% All 2011 cars1.3%
Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 0.8% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £10–£80 our estimateAt the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
Engine oil leaks: 3.4% here, against 8.9% of all 2011 cars. Braking performance: 1.2% here, against 5.4% of all 2011 cars.
By area
The share of 2011 Volvo XC70 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Suspension36% 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.
- Tyres28% 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 electrics25% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Brakes21% 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.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors7% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
- Driveshafts and joints4% of testsRough price £60–£350
At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.
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Other years
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 1,020 | Tyres 29% |
| 2015 | 1,611 | Tyres 25% |
| 2014 | 1,741 | Tyres 26% |
| 2013 | 1,574 | Tyres 28% |
| 2012 | 1,298 | Suspension 32% |
| 2010 | 1,365 | Suspension 35% |
| 2009 | 978 | Suspension 38% |
| 2008 | 937 | Suspension 46% |
| 2007 | 1,155 | Suspension 52% |
| 2006 | 1,029 | Suspension 54% |
| 2005 | 1,102 | Suspension 56% |
| 2004 | 612 | Suspension 58% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2011 Volvo XC70s registered in 2011. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score