2003 Volvo C70 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,126 MOT tests, the 2003 Volvo C70 recorded a 76.0% pass rate. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 22.6% of the time, so this is 1.4pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (11.1%) 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, coil spring and wipers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 131 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 15.7% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 27.6% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 28.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 25.4% in 2021 to 22.4% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.1% | 346 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.3% | 322 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.8% | 276 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.2% | 195 |
| 5 | Steering | 5.0% | 155 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.9% | 121 |
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 | 131 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 131 |
| 3 | Wipers | 107 |
| 4 | Rbt (sp) | 103 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 101 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 100 |
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 | 28.3% | 885 |
| 2 | Suspension | 27.2% | 851 |
| 3 | Tyres | 26.4% | 826 |
| 4 | Other defects | 22.8% | 714 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 14.1% | 441 |
| 6 | Steering | 9.8% | 305 |
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 | 51 | 15.7% |
| 30-60k | 360 | 15.6% |
| 60-90k | 1,053 | 23.8% |
| 90-120k | 982 | 25.7% |
| 120-150k | 469 | 26.4% |
| 150k+ | 210 | 27.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 866 | 25.4% |
| 2022 | 754 | 25.5% |
| 2023 | 607 | 23.2% |
| 2024 | 483 | 21.5% |
| 2025 | 416 | 22.4% |
What to check before buying a 2003 C70
On a 2003 C70, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 11.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (11.1% 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 (8.8% 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 2003 Volvo C70s pass their MOT?
76.0% of the 3,126 2003 Volvo C70 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Volvo C70?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.1% of tests, followed by suspension (10.3%).
Does the 2003 C70 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.7% in the 0-30k band to 27.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,126 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.