2008 Volvo C70 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 7,669 MOT tests, the 2008 Volvo C70 recorded a 71.8% pass rate. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 21.0% of the time, so this is 7.2pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (14.5%) and lighting & signalling (12.3%) 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 600 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 19.8% in the 0-30k band and 30.5% in the 150k+ band, a 10.7-point spread.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 27.8% of the time against 28.3% for diesel.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 31.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 14.5% | 1,115 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 12.3% | 941 |
| 3 | Tyres | 8.3% | 634 |
| 4 | Brakes | 8.1% | 622 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.6% | 580 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.4% | 260 |
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 | 600 |
| 2 | Joints | 582 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 399 |
| 4 | Shock absorbers | 309 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 306 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 299 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 31.7% | 2,432 |
| 2 | Suspension | 30.9% | 2,370 |
| 3 | Brakes | 22.9% | 1,756 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 12.1% | 931 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.9% | 833 |
| 6 | Other defects | 7.1% | 545 |
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 | 91 | 19.8% |
| 30-60k | 744 | 21.5% |
| 60-90k | 1,971 | 27.5% |
| 90-120k | 2,432 | 28.7% |
| 120-150k | 1,571 | 30.6% |
| 150k+ | 857 | 30.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 5,375 | 28.3% |
| Petrol | 2,294 | 27.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,835 | 28.1% |
| 2022 | 1,700 | 28.6% |
| 2023 | 1,611 | 29.3% |
| 2024 | 1,345 | 27.0% |
| 2025 | 1,178 | 27.3% |
What to check before buying a 2008 C70
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 14.5% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (14.5% 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 (12.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (8.3% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 2008 Volvo C70s pass their MOT?
71.8% of the 7,669 2008 Volvo C70 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Volvo C70?
Suspension, recorded in 14.5% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (12.3%).
Does the 2008 C70 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.8% in the 0-30k band to 30.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,669 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.