1999 Volvo C70 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 659 MOT tests, the 1999 Volvo C70 recorded a 78.9% pass rate. That is 1.0 percentage points better than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 22.1%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (12.0%) and brakes (10.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, wipers and position lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 36 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 8.0% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 23.2% once past 150k — 2.9× the risk.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 28.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.0% | 79 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.2% | 67 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.1% | 40 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.0% | 33 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.3% | 28 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.1% | 27 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 36 |
| 2 | Wipers | 26 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 23 |
| 4 | Rbt (sp) | 23 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 20 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 20 |
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 | 28.8% | 190 |
| 2 | Brakes | 27.6% | 182 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.0% | 178 |
| 4 | Other defects | 21.6% | 142 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 17.6% | 116 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 15.0% | 99 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 50 | 8.0% |
| 60-90k | 142 | 21.8% |
| 90-120k | 196 | 23.0% |
| 120-150k | 113 | 20.3% |
| 150k+ | 142 | 23.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 174 | 21.3% |
| 2022 | 158 | 20.9% |
| 2023 | 132 | 21.2% |
| 2024 | 98 | 20.4% |
| 2025 | 97 | 21.6% |
What to check before buying a 1999 C70
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 12.0% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (12.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (10.2% 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 (6.1% 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 1999 Volvo C70s pass their MOT?
78.9% of the 659 1999 Volvo C70 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 Volvo C70?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.0% of tests, followed by brakes (10.2%).
Does the 1999 C70 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.0% in the 30-60k band to 23.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 659 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.