2009 Volvo V70 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2009 Volvo V70 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2009 Volvo V70 diesel than on all cars registered in 2009.

• Individual direction indicators2.2× usual
  Volvo V70

  6.4% All 2009 cars

  2.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 1.3% of all 2009 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 joints2.2× usual
  Volvo V70

  5.1% All 2009 cars

  2.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2009 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.

• Side repeaters2× usual
  Volvo V70

  2.8% All 2009 cars

  1.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.9% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

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

• Diesel smoke emissions2× usual
  Volvo V70

  2% All 2009 cars

  1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 0.9% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

Common 2009 Volvo V70 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2009 Volvo V70 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  40% 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.

• Tyres
  36% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  31% 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
  26% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  13% 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 engine or DPF warning lights.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  11% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Known faults on the 2009 Volvo V70 diesel

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Many recalls (34)

  All engines

  34 recalls, the most Auto Express had seen for one model, covering airbags, short circuits that could cause a fire, engine power loss, jamming gearboxes and wheels working loose.

  At the viewing: Ask a Volvo dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.

  Source: Auto Express: used Volvo V70 (Mk3, 2007-2016) review

• Snapped timing belts (4WD D5)

  Diesel and 2.5T

  The four-wheel-drive D5 can snap its timing and auxiliary belts, wrecking the engine. Diesels and the 2.5T need a cambelt every 10 years or 108,000–150,000 miles.

  At the viewing: Ask for an invoice showing the belts were changed on time.

  Source: Auto Express: used Volvo V70 (Mk3, 2007-2016) review

• Alarm sensor faults and fast tyre wear

  All engines

  The alarm sensors can play up, and it wears tyres quickly.

  At the viewing: Check the alarm and the tyre tread.

  Source: Auto Express: used Volvo V70 (Mk3, 2007-2016) review

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2009 Volvo V70 diesel

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

1. Have all the recalls been done? Can a Volvo dealer confirm from the VIN?
2. When were the timing and auxiliary belts last changed?
3. Any recent work on the individual direction indicators? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2009 Volvo V70 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the steering rack inner joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2009 Volvo V70 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
5. Any recent work on the side repeaters? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2009 Volvo V70 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
6. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?