Volvo XC70: what fails at MOT
22,000 MOT tests on the Volvo XC70 in 2024, counted. 28.5% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
28.5% of Volvo XC70 tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 34.5%, so the XC70 does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (8.2% of tests), suspension (6.9% of tests) and brakes (4.7% of tests). It fails on steering more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 1,407 | 22.5% | 21.3% | 75,100 57,400 to 94,900 |
| 2015 | 2,273 | 20.1% | 24.4% | 82,100 63,700 to 107,100 |
| 2014 | 2,424 | 20.9% | 27.7% | 93,300 70,300 to 118,900 |
| 2013 | 2,059 | 24.3% | 30.6% | 102,000 78,500 to 130,000 |
| 2012 | 1,725 | 27.8% | 33.4% | 112,100 86,200 to 140,400 |
| 2011 | 2,193 | 27.8% | 36.1% | 120,100 94,200 to 150,000 |
| 2010 | 1,732 | 30.0% | 38.6% | 132,000 105,000 to 162,500 |
| 2009 | 1,325 | 26.6% | 39.8% | 135,800 109,100 to 164,400 |
| 2008 | 1,326 | 28.7% | 41.5% | 144,500 113,300 to 170,400 |
| 2007 | 1,650 | 36.2% | 41.5% | 146,200 120,000 to 172,400 |
| 2006 | 1,399 | 35.8% | 42.4% | 145,900 121,700 to 174,900 |
| 2005 | 1,517 | 41.6% | 42.2% | 162,800 128,400 to 191,800 |
| 2004 | 942 | 44.4% | 42.3% | 163,400 135,500 to 194,000 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Volvo XC70 tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | XC70 | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 8.2% | 10.5% |
| Suspension | 6.9% | 8.8% |
| Brakes | 4.7% | 6.2% |
| Tyres | 4.0% | 4.7% |
| Steering More than most | 3.0% | 1.9% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen Less than most | 2.3% | 3.7% |
| Body and structure Less than most | 2.0% | 3.5% |
| Exhaust and emissions Less than most | 0.7% | 3.0% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre3.1%
- Headlamp aim2.9%
- Side light2.7%
- Coil spring2.5%
- Track rod end2.4%
- Headlamp1.6%
- Suspension pins and bushes1.5%
- Brake pads1.4%
- Ball joint1.3%
- Washers1.3%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Side light: not working2.5%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken2.5%
- Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play1.7%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.4%
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect1.3%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.3%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed1.3%
- Ball joint: excessively worn1.2%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.1%
- Headlamp aim: too low1.0%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge12.8%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement7.0%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened6.8%
- Brake pads: wearing thin5.7%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing4.2%
- Coil spring: corroded3.6%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive2.7%
- Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil2.6%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Is there any play, knocking or stiffness in the steering?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
Check a Volvo XC70's own MOT record
Looking at a XC70? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.