Used car guide · 2002–2026

Volvo XC70 common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Volvo XC70, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 51,886 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 2026 Volvo XC70

Cars registered in 2026 haven’t had their first MOT yet (it’s due at 3 years old), so there are no MOT results to show. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Volvo XC70 as a whole.

19registered new in 2026 so far
2029first MOT due
Dieselfuel type
What to check on a 2026 car
  • Warranty left

    Ask for the date it was first registered and check how much of the maker’s warranty is left, and that it transfers to you. Electric and hybrid batteries usually have a longer, separate warranty.

  • Servicing

    Servicing on time with the maker’s schedule keeps the warranty valid. Ask for the service book or the dealer’s digital record.

  • Finance

    Nearly new cars are often still on finance. A history check shows outstanding finance, and whether it has been written off or stolen.

  • Recalls

    Ask whether any recall work has been done, and check the reg on GOV.UK’s free recall checker.

  • Logbook (V5C)

    The name and address should match the seller, and the VIN on the V5C should match the car.

Check for recalls on GOV.UK

Other years

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).

20262017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002

What usually goes wrong with a Volvo XC70?

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 XC70 MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Diesel

  • Steering rack inner joints

    up to 3.6× usual

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

    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.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 2.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 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.

  • Anti-roll bar bushes and joints

    up to 7.9× 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 2.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2003, 2004 and 2006.

    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 XC70 MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2008 Volvo XC70 did best (68% passed first time, 11 points above all 2008 cars) and the 2016 did worst (78%, 1 point above all 2016 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
201678%77% +13,042
201579%74% +54,791
201477%70% +75,186
201375%67% +84,685
201271%64% +73,959
201170%62% +85,423
201069%60% +94,180
200969%59% +103,015
200868%57% +112,921
200761%57% +43,767
200658%56% +23,443
200558%57% +13,719
200455%57% -22,161
200353%57% -41,334
200259%58% +1260 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Volvo XC70

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 suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the Volvo XC70 as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 7.7× as often on the Volvo XC70 as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Any recent work on the steering rack inner joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.9× as often on the Volvo XC70 as on other cars the same age.)
  6. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Volvo XC70?

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