2006 Volvo C70: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2006 Volvo C70?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2006 Volvo C70 than on all cars registered in 2006.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2× usual
  Volvo C70

  14.9% All 2006 cars

  7.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.2%, against 3.3% of all 2006 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.

• Shock absorbers1.7× usual
  Volvo C70

  12.3% All 2006 cars

  7.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.3%, against 1.9% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

• Wheels2.3× usual
  Volvo C70

  4.3% All 2006 cars

  1.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.6% of all 2006 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.

Petrol or diesel: does it make a difference?

The same figures for each fuel on its own. Check which one the car you're looking at is: it's on the logbook and in its MOT history.

Common 2006 Volvo C70 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2006 Volvo C70 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  44% 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
  36% 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 electrics
  33% 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
  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.

• Driveshafts and joints
  15% of testsRough price £60–£350

  At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  8% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2006 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 drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2006 Volvo C70 as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2006 Volvo C70 as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the wheels? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2006 Volvo C70 as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?