Volvo XC70 common problems and MOT failures
What goes wrong on a used Volvo XC70, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 51,886 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.
The 2017 Volvo XC70
Too few Volvo XC70 cars first registered in 2017 had an MOT during 2025 for reliable MOT figures. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Volvo XC70 as a whole.
What to check on a 2017 car
- MOT history
Check the reg below: its MOT history shows what has been failed or advised, and whether the mileage adds up.
- Service history
Look for regular servicing and receipts for big jobs like a cambelt or clutch.
- Finance and write-offs
MOT records don’t show outstanding finance or insurance write-offs. A history check does.
- Test drive
Listen for knocks over bumps, check every warning light goes out, and make sure the gears and brakes feel right.
Other years
Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).
20262017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002
What usually goes wrong with a Volvo XC70?
Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.
- Cars registered 2007–2016 · All engines
Many recalls (34)
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
- Cars registered 2007–2016 · Diesel and 2.5T
Snapped timing belts (4WD D5)
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
- Cars registered 2007–2016 · All engines
Alarm sensor faults and fast tyre wear
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
Common Volvo XC70 MOT failures to check
Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.
Diesel
Steering rack inner joints
up to 3.6× usualStands out on cars registered in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.
Rough price £100–£450 our estimateAt the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.
Suspension arm bushes and joints
up to 2.7× usualStands out on cars registered in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.
Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.
Anti-roll bar bushes and joints
up to 7.9× usualStands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.
Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) CheckatradeAt 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.
Sidelights
up to 2.1× usualStands out on cars registered in 2003, 2004 and 2006.
Rough price £10–£80 our estimateAt the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.
Volvo XC70 MOT pass rate by year
Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2008 Volvo XC70 did best (68% passed first time, 11 points above all 2008 cars) and the 2016 did worst (78%, 1 point above all 2016 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.
| Year | Pass first time | All cars that year | MOT tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 78% | 77% +1 | 3,042 |
| 2015 | 79% | 74% +5 | 4,791 |
| 2014 | 77% | 70% +7 | 5,186 |
| 2013 | 75% | 67% +8 | 4,685 |
| 2012 | 71% | 64% +7 | 3,959 |
| 2011 | 70% | 62% +8 | 5,423 |
| 2010 | 69% | 60% +9 | 4,180 |
| 2009 | 69% | 59% +10 | 3,015 |
| 2008 | 68% | 57% +11 | 2,921 |
| 2007 | 61% | 57% +4 | 3,767 |
| 2006 | 58% | 56% +2 | 3,443 |
| 2005 | 58% | 57% +1 | 3,719 |
| 2004 | 55% | 57% -2 | 2,161 |
| 2003 | 53% | 57% -4 | 1,334 |
| 2002 | 59% | 58% +1 | 260 (small sample) |
Questions to ask the seller before buying a Volvo XC70
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Have all the recalls been done? Can a Volvo dealer confirm from the VIN?
- When were the timing and auxiliary belts last changed?
- Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the Volvo XC70 as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the anti-roll bar bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 7.7× as often on the Volvo XC70 as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the steering rack inner joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.9× as often on the Volvo XC70 as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a Volvo XC70?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score