1998 Volvo V70 — MOT failures & pass rate
5,862 MOT tests on the 1998 Volvo V70 are in this dataset, and 71.5% of them passed. That is 1.2 percentage points worse than large family cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.3%. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (14.1%) and lighting & signalling (14.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, joints and anti-lock braking system — headlamp aim alone was recorded 442 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 21.8% in the 30-60k band and 29.6% in the 150k+ band, a 7.8-point spread.
Fuel type barely separates them — diesel fails 27.8% of the time against 28.6% for petrol.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 35.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 14.1% | 824 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 14.0% | 823 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.5% | 617 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.4% | 491 |
| 5 | Steering | 5.2% | 303 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.0% | 292 |
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 | 442 |
| 2 | Joints | 320 |
| 3 | Anti-lock braking system | 288 |
| 4 | Rbt (sp) | 282 |
| 5 | Wipers | 220 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 217 |
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 | 35.3% | 2,068 |
| 2 | Tyres | 27.3% | 1,602 |
| 3 | Brakes | 27.1% | 1,589 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 21.4% | 1,252 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 19.3% | 1,129 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 18.3% | 1,070 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 101 | 21.8% |
| 60-90k | 317 | 24.3% |
| 90-120k | 743 | 25.3% |
| 120-150k | 1,359 | 29.1% |
| 150k+ | 3,319 | 29.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 5,095 | 28.6% |
| Diesel | 767 | 27.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,525 | 28.6% |
| 2022 | 1,371 | 29.6% |
| 2023 | 1,099 | 26.8% |
| 2024 | 1,006 | 29.0% |
| 2025 | 861 | 28.2% |
What to check before buying a 1998 V70
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: brakes accounted for 14.1% of tests. Start there.
- Brakes (14.1% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (14.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.5% 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.
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 1998 Volvo V70s pass their MOT?
71.5% of the 5,862 1998 Volvo V70 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Volvo V70?
Brakes, recorded in 14.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (14.0%).
Does the 1998 V70 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.8% in the 30-60k band to 29.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,862 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.