Used car guide

1999 Volvo C70: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Volvo C70 first registered in 1999: we looked at the 271 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 271 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

271MOTs of 1999 cars, done in 2023–2025
67%pass first time (all 1999 cars: 63%)
4,400typical miles a year
3.6×the usual rate for steering rack inner joints

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1999 Volvo C70?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1999 Volvo C70 than on all cars registered in 1999.

  • Steering rack inner joints3.6× usual
    Volvo C70
    12.2% All 1999 cars
    3.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 1999 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.

Common 1999 Volvo C70 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1999 Volvo C70 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    37% 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.

  • 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.

  • Brakes
    31% 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
    30% 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
    17% 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
    14% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1999 Volvo C70

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the steering rack inner joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.6× as often on the 1999 Volvo C70 as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Volvo C70?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Volvo C70 compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2013689Tyres 37%
2012809Tyres 37%
20111,427Suspension 39%
20102,130Suspension 39%
20092,439Suspension 45%
20083,073Suspension 46%
20073,448Suspension 46%
20063,063Suspension 44%
20051,191Suspension 39%
20041,442Suspension 42%
20031,218Suspension 40%
2002753Suspension 37%
2001598Suspension 35%
2000398Suspension 40%
1998151Suspension 36%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Volvo C70 cars first registered in 1999. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score