1998 Volvo C70 — MOT failures & pass rate
355 MOT tests on the 1998 Volvo C70 are in this dataset, and 78.9% of them passed. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail at 21.6%, so the 1998 C70 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.0%) and brakes (11.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, service brake performance and wipers — position lamp alone was recorded 21 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 1998 C70 fails 23.8% of the time in the 60-90k band and 21.3% at 150k+, a spread of only 2.5 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 32.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 19.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 21.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.0% | 46 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.6% | 41 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.6% | 20 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.1% | 18 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.8% | 17 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.2% | 15 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 21 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 14 |
| 3 | Wipers | 13 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 13 |
| 5 | Anti-lock braking system | 13 |
| 6 | Side repeaters | 12 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 32.7% | 116 |
| 2 | Brakes | 26.8% | 95 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.1% | 82 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 20.0% | 71 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 14.6% | 52 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.0% | 46 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 63 | 23.8% |
| 90-120k | 99 | 19.2% |
| 120-150k | 89 | 27.0% |
| 150k+ | 75 | 21.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 84 | 19.1% |
| 2022 | 85 | 24.7% |
| 2023 | 68 | 19.1% |
| 2024 | 63 | 20.6% |
| 2025 | 55 | 21.8% |
What to check before buying a 1998 C70
On a 1998 C70, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.6% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Suspension (5.6% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1998 Volvo C70s pass their MOT?
78.9% of the 355 1998 Volvo C70 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Volvo C70?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.0% of tests, followed by brakes (11.6%).
Does the 1998 C70 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.8% in the 60-90k band to 21.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 355 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.