Used car guide · 1997–2026

Volvo V70 common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Volvo V70, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 124,274 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

124,274MOTs done in 2023–2025, all years of this model
43,293on the UK register
3known faults across all years
2010best year at its MOT

Pick the year

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

2026201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000199919981997

What usually goes wrong with a Volvo V70?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Many recalls (34)

    Cars registered 2007–2016 · All engines

    34 recalls, the most Auto Express had seen for one model, covering airbags, short circuits that could cause a fire, engine power loss, jamming gearboxes and wheels working loose.

    At the viewing: Ask a Volvo dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.

    Source: Auto Express: used Volvo V70 (Mk3, 2007-2016) review

  • Snapped timing belts (4WD D5)

    Cars registered 2007–2016 · Diesel and 2.5T

    The four-wheel-drive D5 can snap its timing and auxiliary belts, wrecking the engine. Diesels and the 2.5T need a cambelt every 10 years or 108,000–150,000 miles.

    At the viewing: Ask for an invoice showing the belts were changed on time.

    Source: Auto Express: used Volvo V70 (Mk3, 2007-2016) review

  • Alarm sensor faults and fast tyre wear

    Cars registered 2007–2016 · All engines

    The alarm sensors can play up, and it wears tyres quickly.

    At the viewing: Check the alarm and the tyre tread.

    Source: Auto Express: used Volvo V70 (Mk3, 2007-2016) review

Common Volvo V70 MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

  • Steering rack inner joints

    up to 5.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2009, 2010 and 2011.

    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.

  • Individual direction indicators

    up to 2.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1997, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

    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.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 2.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.

    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.

  • Wheels

    up to 3.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

    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.

  • Anti-roll bar bushes and joints

    up to 5.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.

    Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

  • Sidelights

    up to 2.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004.

    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.

Volvo V70 MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2010 Volvo V70 did best (69% passed first time, 9 points above all 2010 cars) and the 2005 did worst (58%, 1 point above all 2005 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
201682%77% +52,243
201580%74% +66,001
201478%70% +85,845
201373%67% +65,130
201271%64% +74,691
201170%62% +86,229
201069%60% +98,483
200963%59% +411,005
200866%57% +910,007
200761%57% +48,045
200658%56% +27,896
200558%57% +110,142
200454%57% -38,729
200354%57% -37,543
200253%58% -56,899
200153%60% -74,705
200058%61% -33,890
199961%63% -22,847
199859%65% -62,315
199760%65% -51,629

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Volvo V70

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

  1. Have all the recalls been done? Can a Volvo dealer confirm from the VIN?
  2. When were the timing and auxiliary belts last changed?
  3. Any recent work on the steering rack inner joints? (Flagged at MOT 5.7× as often on the Volvo V70 as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the individual direction indicators? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the Volvo V70 as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the Volvo V70 as on other cars the same age.)
  6. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Volvo V70?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score