2003 Volvo V70 — MOT failures & pass rate
19,439 MOT tests on the 2003 Volvo V70 are in this dataset, and 71.7% of them passed. That is effectively the same as large family cars of a similar age (28.1% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.3% of tests against 13.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, headlamp aim and rbt (sp) — position lamp alone was recorded 2,134 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2003 V70 fails 30.9% of the time in the 0-30k band and 30.3% at 150k+, a spread of only 0.6 points.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 28.0% of the time against 28.6% for diesel.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 39.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.3% | 3,951 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.1% | 2,551 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.7% | 2,078 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.9% | 1,336 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.8% | 1,326 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.7% | 911 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 2,134 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 1,790 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 1,339 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 1,094 |
| 5 | Joints | 698 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 685 |
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 | 39.3% | 7,630 |
| 2 | Tyres | 28.6% | 5,562 |
| 3 | Brakes | 26.2% | 5,086 |
| 4 | Other defects | 20.2% | 3,917 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 17.9% | 3,482 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.4% | 2,608 |
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 | 175 | 30.9% |
| 30-60k | 305 | 16.4% |
| 60-90k | 1,489 | 22.0% |
| 90-120k | 2,857 | 25.6% |
| 120-150k | 4,218 | 27.9% |
| 150k+ | 10,237 | 30.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 10,075 | 28.0% |
| Diesel | 9,353 | 28.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,961 | 27.8% |
| 2022 | 4,451 | 28.4% |
| 2023 | 3,852 | 28.4% |
| 2024 | 3,338 | 28.8% |
| 2025 | 2,837 | 28.3% |
What to check before buying a 2003 V70
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 20.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (20.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (13.1% 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.
- Suspension (10.7% 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.
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 2003 Volvo V70s pass their MOT?
71.7% of the 19,439 2003 Volvo V70 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Volvo V70?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.3% of tests, followed by brakes (13.1%).
Does the 2003 V70 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 30.9% in the 0-30k band to 30.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 19,439 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.