At a Glance
The Volvo V70 has 19 identified common problems across 3 generations, with the Mk2 (2000-2007) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 1.4M MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Volvo V70 common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Volvo V70 generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Most Common Volvo V70 MOT Failures
Every reason Volvo V70 vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 10.67% |
| 2 | Number plate lamp not working | 9.32% |
| 3 | Front lamp not working | 7.24% |
| 4 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 6.71% |
| 5 | Tyre condition | 6.25% |
| 6 | Brake performance below minimum | 4.83% |
| 7 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 4.74% |
| 8 | Driveshaft fault | 4.16% |
| 9 | Exhaust system fault | 3.96% |
| 10 | Headlamp aim defect | 3.83% |
| 11 | Brake pads or linings worn | 2.89% |
| 12 | Track rod end worn | 2.83% |
| 13 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 2.61% |
| 14 | Position lamp not working | 2.51% |
| 15 | Stop lamp not working | 1.80% |
| 16 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 1.57% |
| 17 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 1.50% |
| 18 | Headlamp fault | 1.50% |
| 19 | Windscreen washer not working | 1.39% |
| 20 | Brake disc or drum worn | 1.36% |
| 21 | Rear lamp not working | 1.34% |
| 22 | Indicator fault | 1.27% |
| 23 | Front suspension joint worn | 1.25% |
| 24 | Parking brake condition | 1.12% |
| 25 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 1.06% |
| 26 | ABS fault | 0.97% |
| 27 | Steering rack fault | 0.92% |
| 28 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.81% |
| 29 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.71% |
| 30 | Seat belt condition | 0.70% |
| 31 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.69% |
| 32 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.58% |
| 33 | Fog lamp not working | 0.48% |
| 34 | Airbag warning light on | 0.48% |
| 35 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 0.48% |
| 36 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.40% |
| 37 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.31% |
| 38 | Front suspension fault | 0.24% |
| 39 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.21% |
| 40 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.20% |
| 41 | Brake lever fault | 0.20% |
| 42 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.19% |
| 43 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.17% |
| 44 | Steering free play excessive | 0.17% |
| 45 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.17% |
| 46 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.17% |
| 47 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.16% |
| 48 | Brake pedal fault | 0.12% |
| 49 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.11% |
| 50 | Steering arm worn | 0.11% |
| 51 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.11% |
| 52 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.10% |
| 53 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.10% |
| 54 | Drag link end worn | 0.10% |
| 55 | Horn not working | 0.10% |
| 56 | Steering operation fault | 0.10% |
| 57 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.09% |
| 58 | Outline marker lamp not working | 0.08% |
| 59 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.08% |
| 60 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.07% |
| 61 | Electrical switch fault | 0.07% |
| 62 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.07% |
| 63 | Rear suspension fault | 0.07% |
| 64 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.06% |
| 65 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.06% |
| 66 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.06% |
| 67 | Engine oil leak | 0.06% |
| 68 | Brake caliper fault | 0.06% |
| 69 | Steering column fault | 0.04% |
| 70 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.04% |
| 71 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.04% |
| 72 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.04% |
| 73 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.04% |
| 74 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.04% |
| 75 | Power steering ram fault | 0.04% |
| 76 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.04% |
| 77 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.03% |
| 78 | Propshaft fault | 0.03% |
| 79 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.03% |
| 80 | CV joint worn | 0.03% |
| 81 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.03% |
| 82 | Steering lock stop fault | 0.03% |
| 83 | Brake fluid leak | 0.02% |
| 84 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.02% |
| 85 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.02% |
| 86 | Front passenger door fault | 0.02% |
| 87 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.02% |
| 88 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.02% |
| 89 | Steering lock fault | 0.02% |
| 90 | Power steering pump fault | 0.02% |
| 91 | Driver door fault | 0.02% |
| 92 | Towbar fault | 0.02% |
| 93 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 94 | Headlamp washer not working | 0.02% |
| 95 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.02% |
| 96 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 97 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.02% |
| 98 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.02% |
| 99 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.02% |
| 100 | Driver airbag fault | 0.02% |
| 101 | Body security fault | 0.01% |
| 102 | Electronic parking brake fault | 0.01% |
| 103 | Chassis condition | 0.01% |
| 104 | Speedometer fault | 0.01% |
| 105 | Passenger seat fault | 0.01% |
| 106 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 107 | Exhaust leak | 0.01% |
| 108 | Driver seat fault | 0.01% |
| 109 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.01% |
| 110 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 111 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 112 | Suspension unit fault | <0.01% |
| 113 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 114 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 115 | Undertray damaged or missing | <0.01% |
| 116 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 117 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 118 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 119 | Subframe corrosion or damage | <0.01% |
| 120 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 121 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 122 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 123 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 124 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 125 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | <0.01% |
| 127 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 130 | Subframe mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 131 | Spring mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 132 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 134 | Reversing lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 135 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 139 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 140 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 142 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 143 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 144 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 145 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 147 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 148 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 149 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 151 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 152 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 153 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 154 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 155 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 156 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 157 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 158 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 159 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 161 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 162 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 163 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 164 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 165 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 166 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 167 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 168 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 169 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 170 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 171 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 172 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 173 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 174 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 175 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 176 | Hydraulic suspension accumulator fault | <0.01% |
| 177 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 178 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 179 | Seat belt load limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 180 | Dropside damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 181 | Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 182 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 183 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
Showing all 183 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Volvo V70 MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Volvo V70, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Volvo V70 problems?
Based on analysis of 1.4M Volvo V70 MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 19 identified common problems across 3 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Parking brake performance below minimum". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Volvo V70 generation has the most problems?
The Volvo V70 Mk2 (2000-2007) (2000–2007) has the highest number of identified common problems (17). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Volvo V70?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Volvo V70 owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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