1997 · 27 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1997 Volvo V70 MOT pass rate and common faults

515 MOT tests in 2024. 57.5% passed first time, compared with 65.5% for all cars the same age.

88Well below average
Passed first time57.5%
Failed or needed repairs42.5%
Typical mileage at test162,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 515 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt6.8%
  2. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn5.6%
  3. Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault4.7%
  4. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements3.9%
  5. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.7%
  6. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect3.5%
  7. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play3.1%
  8. Individual direction indicators: incorrect colour2.7%
  9. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.5%
    29 marked dangerous
  10. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords2.5%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics25.8%
  2. Brakes25.4%
  3. Suspension17.9%
  4. Body & chassis13.8%
  5. Emissions & leaks11.3%
  6. Steering9.1%
  7. Tyres9.1%
  8. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.4%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine18.3%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm16.1%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure11.1%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened11.1%
  5. Registration plates: inscription illegible10.5%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

All V70 years1998 V70 →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1997 Volvo V70?

In 2024, 57.5% of 1997 Volvo V70 cars passed their MOT first time, across 515 tests. The average for all 27-year-old cars was 65.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1997 Volvo V70?

The most common failure reasons were joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn; anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an abs fault. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 1997 Volvo V70 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 88, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).