Volvo XC70 MOT Pass Rates and Running Costs by Year

Reliability, estimated running costs, and MOT data across 16 model years from 32,082 MOT tests in 2024.

Avg Pass Rate

79%

Total Tests

32,082

Highest Pass Rate

2015 (85%)

Years Covered

About the Volvo XC70

The Volvo XC70 was MOT tested 32,082 times in 2024 (DVSA data, retests included) across 16 model years (2002 to 2017), with an average pass rate of 79%. That's close to the average of 82% across all models in our data. Our records list diesel and petrol versions.

Best and Worst Years

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2015 model has the highest pass rate at 85% from 2,845 tests. The 2004 model has the lowest at 70%. The 15 point gap means pass rates vary somewhat between years, but no year is dramatically different. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger.

Reliability Trend

Newer Volvo XC70s pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 9 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (2002) averages 162,305 miles, while the newest (2017) averages 123,691 miles. Older models have covered serious mileage, so suspension and drivetrain wear are worth checking.

Compared to the Volvo brand average of 87%, the XC70 is 8 points lower, placing it among the less reliable Volvo models.

What the Volvo XC70 fails its MOT on most

Of 5,099 MOT tests on the Volvo XC70 that failed at the first attempt in 2025 (DVSA data), the share that failed on each area:

43%
Lights and electrics
Same age: 44%
38%
Suspension
Same age: 38%
24%
Brakes
Same age: 25%

Volvo XC70 reliability, common problems and years to avoid

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2400cc)

£1,676

Road Tax

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£200

Total per year£2,131

Per month£178/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, average pump prices of 174.57p petrol and 199.33p diesel (GOV.UK weekly road fuel prices, week of 19 October 2026), and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2017 details

How reliable is the Volvo XC70?

vs average of all models-3% (82% avg)

vs Volvo brand average-8% (87% avg)

Best to worst year spread15 percentage points

Reliability trendImproving over years

Volvo XC70 by Year

Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2017	90%	62	123,691 mi
2016	84%	1,794	79,842 mi
2015	85%	2,845	87,969 mi
2014	84%	3,072	97,630 mi
2013	83%	2,633	107,901 mi
2012	81%	2,395	118,040 mi
2011	82%	3,270	126,546 mi
2010	81%	2,492	137,819 mi
2009	83%	1,875	138,262 mi
2008	80%	1,928	143,047 mi
2007	76%	2,498	146,942 mi
2006	74%	2,205	150,106 mi
2005	72%	2,423	162,690 mi
2004	70%	1,473	164,302 mi
2003	72%	932	168,515 mi
2002	74%	185	162,305 mi

Questions about the Volvo XC70

Is the Volvo XC70 reliable?

Across its 16 model years in our data (2002 to 2017), the Volvo XC70 averages a 79% MOT pass rate, from 32,082 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 3 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data. The 2015 model has the highest pass rate of the years with at least 100 tests, at 85%.

Which year Volvo XC70 has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2015 Volvo XC70 has the highest MOT pass rate at 85%, while the 2004 model has the lowest at 70%, a 15 point gap. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.