Used car guide

2000 Volvo C70: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Volvo C70 first registered in 2000: we looked at the 398 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 398 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

398MOTs of 2000 cars, done in 2023–2025
69%pass first time (all 2000 cars: 61%)
4,600typical miles a year
3.8×the usual rate for steering rack inner joints

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2000 Volvo C70?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2000 Volvo C70 than on all cars registered in 2000.

  • Steering rack inner joints3.8× usual
    Volvo C70
    14.6% All 2000 cars
    3.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2000 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 2000 Volvo C70 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2000 Volvo C70 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    40% 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
    35% 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
    27% 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
    27% 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
    21% 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
    18% 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 2000 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 3.8× as often on the 2000 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
2013703Tyres 37%
2012834Tyres 36%
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%
1999271Suspension 37%
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 2000. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score