1998 · 26 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1998 Volvo V70 MOT pass rate and common faults

762 MOT tests in 2024. 57.5% passed first time, compared with 64.9% for all cars the same age.

89Well below average
Passed first time57.5%
Failed or needed repairs42.5%
Typical mileage at test159,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 762 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault5.6%
  2. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements5.0%
  3. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt5.0%
  4. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn4.9%
  5. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.0%
  6. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect3.0%
  7. Parking brake performance: inoperative on one side2.8%
  8. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play2.6%
  9. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.4%
  10. Position lamp: not working2.0%

Problem areas

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

  1. Brakes25.5%
  2. Lights & electrics24.7%
  3. Suspension21.0%
  4. Body & chassis10.8%
  5. Emissions & leaks8.4%
  6. Tyres7.6%
  7. Steering7.3%
  8. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine18.5%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm16.0%
  3. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened11.9%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened11.7%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure11.5%

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: anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an abs fault. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1998 Volvo V70?

In 2024, 57.5% of 1998 Volvo V70 cars passed their MOT first time, across 762 tests. The average for all 26-year-old cars was 64.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1998 Volvo V70?

The most common failure reasons were anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an abs fault; rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements; joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. The biggest problem area was brakes.

Is the 1998 Volvo V70 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 89, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).