2007 Volvo C70 — MOT failures & pass rate
8,408 MOT tests on the 2007 Volvo C70 are in this dataset, and 72.1% of them passed. Against coupes & convertibles of a similar age (21.6% fail rate), the 2007 C70 comes out 6.3pp worse. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (14.1%) and lighting & signalling (11.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, joints and headlamp aim — coil spring alone was recorded 637 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 14.7% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 30.0% once past 150k — 2.0× the risk.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 27.8% of the time against 28.0% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 32.2% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 14.1% | 1,186 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 11.5% | 970 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.6% | 805 |
| 4 | Tyres | 7.7% | 649 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.0% | 589 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.0% | 254 |
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 | 637 |
| 2 | Joints | 583 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 448 |
| 4 | Rbt (sp) | 429 |
| 5 | Shock absorbers | 349 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 297 |
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 | 32.2% | 2,706 |
| 2 | Tyres | 29.7% | 2,500 |
| 3 | Brakes | 23.7% | 1,996 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 12.2% | 1,023 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.2% | 853 |
| 6 | Other defects | 7.1% | 601 |
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 | 129 | 14.7% |
| 30-60k | 868 | 23.2% |
| 60-90k | 2,374 | 26.3% |
| 90-120k | 2,687 | 29.3% |
| 120-150k | 1,617 | 30.3% |
| 150k+ | 729 | 30.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 4,782 | 27.8% |
| Diesel | 3,626 | 28.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,960 | 27.7% |
| 2022 | 1,848 | 26.9% |
| 2023 | 1,746 | 28.3% |
| 2024 | 1,518 | 28.5% |
| 2025 | 1,336 | 28.1% |
What to check before buying a 2007 C70
On a 2007 C70, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (14.1% 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.
- 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.
- 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 2007 Volvo C70s pass their MOT?
72.1% of the 8,408 2007 Volvo C70 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Volvo C70?
Suspension, recorded in 14.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (11.5%).
Does the 2007 C70 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.7% in the 0-30k band to 30.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 8,408 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.