1997 Volvo V70 petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1997 Volvo V70 petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1997 Volvo V70 petrol than on all cars registered in 1997.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints3.5× usual
  Volvo V70

  16% All 1997 cars

  4.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7%, against 1.9% of all 1997 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

• Shock absorbers1.9× usual
  Volvo V70

  12.2% All 1997 cars

  6.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.8%, against 1.6% of all 1997 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

• Anti-lock braking system6.7× usual
  Volvo V70

  6% All 1997 cars

  0.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.9%, against 0.9% of all 1997 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

• Individual direction indicators2.6× usual
  Volvo V70

  7.7% All 1997 cars

  3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 1.6% of all 1997 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Steering rack inner joints2.6× usual
  Volvo V70

  6.9% All 1997 cars

  2.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 1997 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Common 1997 Volvo V70 petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1997 Volvo V70 petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  45% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Lights and electrics
  36% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Brakes
  33% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Tyres
  29% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  21% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

• Exhaust and emissions
  18% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for an engine warning light.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1997 Volvo V70 petrol

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.5× as often on the 1997 Volvo V70 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 1997 Volvo V70 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the anti-lock braking system? (Flagged at MOT 6.7× as often on the 1997 Volvo V70 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?