2009 Volvo C70 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2009 Volvo C70 passed 72.0% of its 5,943 recorded MOT tests. That is 7.8 percentage points worse than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 20.2%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (12.7%) and lighting & signalling (12.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are joints, coil spring and pins and bushes — joints alone was recorded 429 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 16.6% in the 0-30k band and 28.5% in the 150k+ band, a 12.0-point spread.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 27.0% of the time against 28.1% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 30.5% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 12.7% | 755 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 12.0% | 716 |
| 3 | Tyres | 9.1% | 541 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.3% | 433 |
| 5 | Brakes | 6.6% | 389 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.1% | 244 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 429 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 390 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 280 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 275 |
| 5 | Shock absorbers | 213 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 194 |
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 | 30.5% | 1,813 |
| 2 | Suspension | 30.2% | 1,794 |
| 3 | Brakes | 20.4% | 1,215 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 14.4% | 858 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.7% | 634 |
| 6 | Other defects | 7.5% | 447 |
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 | 145 | 16.6% |
| 30-60k | 831 | 22.1% |
| 60-90k | 2,034 | 27.6% |
| 90-120k | 1,695 | 30.0% |
| 120-150k | 898 | 32.2% |
| 150k+ | 340 | 28.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 5,366 | 28.1% |
| Petrol | 577 | 27.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,377 | 28.5% |
| 2022 | 1,284 | 27.0% |
| 2023 | 1,233 | 28.9% |
| 2024 | 1,087 | 28.0% |
| 2025 | 962 | 27.3% |
What to check before buying a 2009 C70
On a 2009 C70, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (12.7% 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 (12.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (9.1% 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 2009 Volvo C70s pass their MOT?
72.0% of the 5,943 2009 Volvo C70 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Volvo C70?
Suspension, recorded in 12.7% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (12.0%).
Does the 2009 C70 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.6% in the 0-30k band to 28.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,943 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.