2006 Volvo V70 petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2006 Volvo V70 petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2006 Volvo V70 petrol than on all cars registered in 2006.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints1.9× usual
  Volvo V70

  20.2% All 2006 cars

  10.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 2.4% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.1× usual
  Volvo V70

  15% All 2006 cars

  7.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7%, against 3.3% of all 2006 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.

• Anti-roll bar bushes and joints4× usual
  Volvo V70

  4.8% All 2006 cars

  1.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.3% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

  At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

• Fuel cap8.3× usual
  Volvo V70

  2.5% All 2006 cars

  0.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 0.3% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

• Handbrake performance2.1× usual
  Volvo V70

  2.7% All 2006 cars

  1.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 1.3% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£300 our estimate

  At the viewing: Pull the handbrake on a slope. It should hold the car within a few clicks.

Common 2006 Volvo V70 petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2006 Volvo V70 petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Lights and electrics
  40% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Suspension
  39% 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.

• Brakes
  32% 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
  30% 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.

• Driveshafts and joints
  15% of testsRough price £60–£350

  At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

• Exhaust and emissions
  12% 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 2006 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 suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2006 Volvo V70 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2006 Volvo V70 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 4× as often on the 2006 Volvo V70 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?