2004 · 20 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2004 Volvo V70 MOT pass rate and common faults

2,713 MOT tests in 2024. 54.1% passed first time, compared with 56.4% for all cars the same age.

96Below average
Passed first time54.1%
Failed or needed repairs45.9%
Typical mileage at test155,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 2,713 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Position lamp: not working10.1%
  2. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements6.0%
  3. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect5.1%
  4. Parking brake performance: inoperative on one side4.7%
  5. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play4.0%
  6. Rbt (sp): efficiency less than 50% of the required value4.0%
    120 marked dangerous
  7. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.6%
  8. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.1%
  9. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn2.9%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics40.1%
  2. Brakes29.3%
  3. Suspension17.7%
  4. Body & chassis9.1%
  5. Tyres9.0%
  6. Steering7.2%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.6%
  8. Emissions & leaks5.3%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn18.7%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm18.6%
  3. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened12.0%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened11.5%
  5. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine8.6%

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: position lamp: not working. 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 2004 Volvo V70?

In 2024, 54.1% of 2004 Volvo V70 cars passed their MOT first time, across 2,713 tests. The average for all 20-year-old cars was 56.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2004 Volvo V70?

The most common failure reasons were position lamp: not working; rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements; headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2004 Volvo V70 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 96, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).