2004 Volvo C70 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,663 MOT tests, the 2004 Volvo C70 recorded a 74.3% pass rate. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 22.4% of the time, so this is 3.3pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (11.6%) and lighting & signalling (11.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, ball joint dust cover and wipers — coil spring alone was recorded 186 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 32.6% versus 11.3%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 30.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 11.6% | 423 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 11.3% | 413 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.6% | 353 |
| 4 | Tyres | 7.5% | 274 |
| 5 | Steering | 5.1% | 186 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.6% | 168 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 186 |
| 2 | Ball joint dust cover | 171 |
| 3 | Wipers | 171 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 157 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 141 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 118 |
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 | 30.1% | 1,103 |
| 2 | Suspension | 29.1% | 1,067 |
| 3 | Tyres | 26.0% | 951 |
| 4 | Other defects | 21.9% | 804 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 15.0% | 548 |
| 6 | Steering | 10.8% | 397 |
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 | 71 | 11.3% |
| 30-60k | 464 | 17.9% |
| 60-90k | 1,290 | 25.3% |
| 90-120k | 1,106 | 27.1% |
| 120-150k | 538 | 30.1% |
| 150k+ | 193 | 32.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 937 | 26.3% |
| 2022 | 851 | 25.7% |
| 2023 | 716 | 25.7% |
| 2024 | 639 | 25.5% |
| 2025 | 520 | 25.2% |
What to check before buying a 2004 C70
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 11.6% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (11.6% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (11.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (9.6% 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.
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 2004 Volvo C70s pass their MOT?
74.3% of the 3,663 2004 Volvo C70 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Volvo C70?
Suspension, recorded in 11.6% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (11.3%).
Does the 2004 C70 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.3% in the 0-30k band to 32.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,663 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.