CarCostCheck

VOLVO 700 SERIES (1991)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 134 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,397

£200/month

MOT Pass Rate

68%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1986cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

68% pass rate, £2397/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

£1,327
Road Tax

Based on 1986cc

£315
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700
Total per year£2,397
Per month£200/mo
Per week£46/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

68% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 14 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the VOLVO brand average of 87%.

At 35 years old, 68% of VOLVO 700 SERIESs from 1991 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 134 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 154,738 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1991 cars156th of 179(top 87%)
Rank among VOLVO models623th of 635(top 98%)
vs national average-14%(82% avg)
vs 1991 cars average-10%(78% avg)
vs VOLVO average-19%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

154,738

Average miles

vs

259,000

Expected for age

The average 1991 VOLVO 700 SERIES has 154,738 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 259,000 miles for a 35-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?

The most reliable year is the 1990 model with a 75% MOT pass rate, while the 1991 model has the lowest at 68%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority.

VOLVO 700 SERIES by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
199168%134154,738 mi
199075%775123,922 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

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About the 1991 VOLVO 700 SERIES

The 1991 VOLVO 700 SERIES is a premium with a 1986cc petrol engine. 134 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 87% of 1991 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 154,738 miles at 35 years old, 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 £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1991 VOLVO 700 SERIES?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,397 200/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 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

Based on the 1991 VOLVO 700 SERIES's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

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 annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
VOLVO 700 SERIES(1991)68%£1327£315Grp 18-32£2397
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1991)80%£1327£135Grp 18-32£1867-£530
BMW 3 SERIES(1990)84%£1327£135Grp 18-32£1867-£530
FORD ESCORT(1990)85%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1677-£720
MAZDA MX-5(1991)78%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£570

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Related Volvo Models

Explore other Volvo cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Volvo 700 series.

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