Volvo C70 MOT Failure Rate & Common Faults
We analysed 8,725 MOT tests on the Volvo C70 carried out in 2023. 40% failed at the first attempt, which is well above the 29% average across all cars in the same data. Put another way, about 6 in 10 C70s passed first time.
Results cover cars first registered from 1998 to 2013. Compared with other cars of the same age, 2000 models did best (69% passed, +8.9 points against the average for 23-year-old cars), while 2009 models fared worst (55%, −3.9 points). Tested cars had covered 94,910 miles on average, against 73,145 across all cars.
The most common reason for failure was suspension, found on 16.4% of tests (noticeably above the 8.9% seen across all cars). The single most frequent fault was "fractured or broken", on 7.4% of tests.
- MOT tests analysed
- 8,725
- First-time pass rate
- 60%
- All cars: 71%
- Versus all cars
- −11.8 points
- Average mileage at test
- 94,910
- All cars: 73,145
Checking a particular C70?
See its own MOT history, advisories and mileage for free.
C70 MOT pass rate by year
Older cars fail more often, so each year is compared with all cars of the same age. Bars above the dashed line did better than average for their age.
| First registered | Tests | Pass rate | All cars, same age | Difference | Avg mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 242 | 74% | 68% | +6.1 points | 64,169 |
| 2012 | 284 | 71% | 66% | +5.2 points | 73,642 |
| 2011 | 499 | 60% | 63% | −2.9 points | 82,965 |
| 2010 | 751 | 58% | 60% | −2.2 points | 87,531 |
| 2009 | 901 | 55% | 59% | −3.9 points | 92,011 |
| 2008 | 1,190 | 56% | 57% | −1.6 points | 105,393 |
| 2007 | 1,306 | 57% | 57% | +0.2 points | 101,791 |
| 2006 | 1,185 | 56% | 56% | +0.1 points | 98,160 |
| 2005 | 465 | 64% | 56% | +8.1 points | 87,563 |
| 2004 | 553 | 60% | 56% | +4.4 points | 91,380 |
| 2003 | 483 | 65% | 57% | +8.2 points | 94,732 |
| 2002 | 301 | 60% | 58% | +3.0 points | 96,169 |
| 2001 | 239 | 67% | 59% | +8.3 points | 99,768 |
| 2000 | 157 | 69% | 61% | +8.9 points | 112,750 |
| 1999 | 108 | 65% | 62% | +2.3 points | 113,312 |
| 1998 | 58 | 69% | 64% | +5.1 points | 118,490 |
Why the Volvo C70 fails its MOT
The share of tests with at least one failure in each area, compared with all cars.
| Failure area | C70 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 16.4% | 8.9% |
| Lights and electrics | 14.5% | 11.3% |
| Brakes | 10.9% | 6.8% |
| Tyres | 10.4% | 6.3% |
| Body and structure | 7.5% | 3.5% |
| Visibility | 4.4% | 4.8% |
| Steering | 3.9% | 1.8% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.9% | 3.1% |
| Seatbelts and airbags | 1.3% | 1.0% |
| Road Wheels | 0.9% | 0.4% |
Top 10 specific failure reasons
- 1fractured or broken7.4%
- 2not working6.2%
- 3constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt5.4%
- 4has ply or cords exposed4.4%
- 5efficiency below requirements3.5%
- 6ball joint excessively worn3.3%
- 7has a serious fluid leak2.8%
- 8pin or bush excessively worn2.8%
- 9tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.3%
- 10does not clear the windscreen effectively2.2%
Common C70 MOT advisories
Advisories don't cause a fail, but they show what's wearing out. On a used C70, check whether these have been dealt with. Read our guide to MOT advisories.
| Advisory | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 18.7% |
| in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 11.0% |
| pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 10.4% |
| has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 8.2% |
| ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 7.8% |
| less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 7.0% |
| corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened | Suspension | 6.9% |
| Play in steering rack inner joint(s) | Non-component advisories | 5.1% |
| leaking excessively from engine | Noise, emissions and leaks | 4.5% |
| has a serious fluid leak | Suspension | 3.7% |
Tips to help your C70 pass
Based on where C70s most often fail. For a full list, use our pre-MOT checklist.
Lights and electrics · 14.5% of C70 tests
Walk round every light
With a helper, check headlights on dipped and main beam, sidelights, brake lights, indicators, the rear fog light and the number plate lamp. Replace blown bulbs in pairs and make sure no lenses are cracked.
Brakes · 10.9% of C70 tests
Don't ignore brake warning signs
Grinding, squealing, a soft pedal or the car pulling to one side under braking are all worth investigating before the MOT. Check whether the last test noted worn pads or discs; if so, they may now be below the limit.
Compare with other models
Is the C70 ULEZ compliant? See the Volvo C70 ULEZ check, or view all Volvo models.
Other Volvo models
Models with similar pass rates
About this data
Based on 8,725 first MOT tests of the Volvo C70 carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
Answers from 8,725 first MOT tests of the Volvo C70.
What is the Volvo C70 MOT failure rate?
In our data, 40% of 8,725 first MOT attempts on the Volvo C70 ended in a fail, compared with 29% for all cars.
What is the most common reason a Volvo C70 fails its MOT?
The most common failure areas were suspension (16.4% of tests), lights and electrics (14.5% of tests), brakes (10.9% of tests).
Which C70 year has the best MOT pass rate?
Allowing for age, 2000 cars performed best: 69% passed first time, +8.9 points against the average for 23-year-old cars. The weakest was 2009, at 55% (−3.9 points).
How many miles had a typical Volvo C70 covered at its MOT?
The average was 94,910 miles, against 73,145 for all cars tested. 2013 cars averaged 64,169 miles and 1998 cars 118,490.
What is the most common MOT advisory on the Volvo C70?
"tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" was recorded on 18.7% of tests, in the tyres area. 10.4% of C70s failed in that area too.
How can I check a specific C70's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT check. Across the 8,725 C70s in our data, first-time pass rates ranged from 55% to 74% by year, so one car's own record says more than the average.
Related guides
- MOT · 6 min readThe most common reasons cars fail their MOT (and how to avoid them)Lights alone failed 11.3% of cars at their 2023 MOT, more than any other area. The common failure areas, ranked, and the driveway checks that prevent them.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readPre-MOT checklist: 20 things to check yourself before the testTwenty quick checks, grouped by area, that you can do on your driveway in under half an hour. No tools beyond a coin and a helper needed for most.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readDangerous, major and minor MOT defects explainedSince 2018, every fault found at an MOT goes into one of four categories. Knowing the difference tells you whether you can drive home, and what to fix first.Read the guide
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