Used car guide

2001 Volvo V70 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Volvo V70 first registered in 2001 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 148 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 148 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

148MOTs of 2001 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025
48%pass first time (all 2001 cars: 60%)
8,400typical miles a year
2.2×the usual rate for coil springs

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2001 Volvo V70 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2001 Volvo V70 diesel than on all cars registered in 2001.

  • Coil springs2.2× usual
    Volvo V70
    20.9% All 2001 cars
    9.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 2.1% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

Common 2001 Volvo V70 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2001 Volvo V70 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    57% 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
    53% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    45% 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.

  • Brakes
    42% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    19% 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.

  • Steering
    18% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2001 Volvo V70 diesel

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

  1. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2001 Volvo V70 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Volvo V70?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Volvo V70 compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2017–Too few tests
20162,233Tyres 30%
20155,987Tyres 30%
20145,837Tyres 31%
20135,120Tyres 33%
20124,691Suspension 31%
20116,229Tyres 33%
20108,483Suspension 35%
200911,001Suspension 39%
200810,006Suspension 42%
20078,045Suspension 45%
20067,895Suspension 44%
200510,142Suspension 46%
20048,725Suspension 48%
20037,543Suspension 51%
20026,896Suspension 51%
20003,889Suspension 51%
19992,847Suspension 51%
19982,315Suspension 46%
19971,629Suspension 45%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Volvo V70 cars first registered in 2001. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score