2002 Volvo C70 — MOT failures & pass rate
1,924 MOT tests on the 2002 Volvo C70 are in this dataset, and 75.8% of them passed. That is 1.6 percentage points worse than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 22.6%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (11.5%) and suspension (10.3%) 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 ball joint dust cover — headlamp aim alone was recorded 132 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 23.8% versus 19.4%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 30.0% 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 | 11.5% | 222 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.3% | 199 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.5% | 163 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.6% | 107 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.8% | 92 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.5% | 87 |
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 | 132 |
| 2 | Wipers | 88 |
| 3 | Ball joint dust cover | 88 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 74 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 73 |
| 6 | Individual direction indicators | 64 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 30.0% | 578 |
| 2 | Tyres | 26.7% | 514 |
| 3 | Suspension | 26.1% | 502 |
| 4 | Other defects | 21.5% | 414 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 15.1% | 290 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 11.9% | 229 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 31 | 19.4% |
| 30-60k | 223 | 14.8% |
| 60-90k | 599 | 23.2% |
| 90-120k | 585 | 26.7% |
| 120-150k | 376 | 27.9% |
| 150k+ | 109 | 23.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 537 | 24.2% |
| 2022 | 445 | 22.7% |
| 2023 | 376 | 26.3% |
| 2024 | 317 | 24.9% |
| 2025 | 249 | 22.9% |
What to check before buying a 2002 C70
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 11.5% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (11.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.3% 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.
- Brakes (8.5% 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.
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 2002 Volvo C70s pass their MOT?
75.8% of the 1,924 2002 Volvo C70 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Volvo C70?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.5% of tests, followed by suspension (10.3%).
Does the 2002 C70 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.4% in the 0-30k band to 23.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,924 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.