Volvo 700 Series (1991)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 134 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,761

£230/month

MOT Pass Rate

68%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£375

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 18-32

1986cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

68% pass rate, £2,761/year to run. 14 points below average.

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Petrol1986cc35 years old134 tests155k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1986cc)

~36 mpg

£1,631

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£375

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,761

Per month£230/mo

Per week£53/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

68% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 14 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Volvo brand average of 87%.

68% of MOT tests on Volvo 700 Seriess from 1991 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 33 years old. That's based on 134 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 154,738 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1991 models151st of 172(bottom 13%)

Rank among Volvo models608th of 619(bottom 2%)

vs average of all models-14%(82% avg)

vs 1991 models average-11%(79% avg)

vs Volvo average-19%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

154,738

Average miles

244,200

Expected for age

The average 1991 Volvo 700 Series had 154,738 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 244,200 miles for a 33-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1990 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 75%, while the 1991 model has the lowest at 68%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Volvo 700 Series by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
1991	68%	134	154,738 mi
1990	75%	775	123,922 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Volkswagen Golf

1991 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,411/year

80%

+12%

BMW 3 Series

1990 · 1990cc Petrol

£2,411/year

84%

+16%

Ford Escort

1990 · 1597cc Petrol

£2,178/year

85%

+17%

Mazda MX-5

1991 · 1597cc Petrol

£2,328/year

78%

+10%

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About the 1991 Volvo 700 Series

The 1991 Volvo 700 Series is a premium car. Our records list a 1986cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 134 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 13% of 1991 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 154,738 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Volvo 700 Series owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1991 Volvo 700 Series Fuel Costs

The 1986cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,631 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1991 Volvo 700 Series?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,761 (£230/month), broken down as £1,631 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 68% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Buying a Used 1991 Volvo 700 Series

At 35 years old, the Volvo 700 Series is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 35 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 155k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Engine Mounts

Medium risk

Worn engine mounts cause excessive vibration and movement. Replacement costs £150-£400 per mount. Check for vibration at idle with the bonnet open.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 68% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1991 Volvo 700 Series stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Volvo 700 Series(1991)	68%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,761
Volkswagen Golf(1991)	80%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,411-£350
BMW 3 Series(1990)	84%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,411-£350
Ford Escort(1990)	85%	£1,398	£375	Grp 12-25	£2,178-£583
Mazda MX-5(1991)	78%	£1,398	£375	Grp 12-25	£2,328-£433

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 1991 Volvo 700 Series

Is the 1991 Volvo 700 Series reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 68% of MOT tests on 1991 Volvo 700 Seriess ended in a pass, from 134 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 14 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1991 Volvo 700 Series cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,761 a year (£230 a month): £1,631 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1991 Volvo 700 Series?

68% of 134 MOT tests on the 1991 Volvo 700 Series ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 151st of 172 models first registered in 1991 (bottom 13%).

Which year Volvo 700 Series has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1990 Volvo 700 Series has the highest MOT pass rate at 75% and the 1991 the lowest at 68%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 1991 Volvo 700 Series?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1991 Volvo 700 Series is 154,738 miles, which is below the expected 244,200 miles for a 33-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.