2004 Volvo V70 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 21,923 MOT tests, the 2004 Volvo V70 recorded a 71.9% pass rate. Large family cars of a similar age fail at 28.0%, so the 2004 V70 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 19.7% of all tests — 6.6 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, position lamp and rbt (sp) — headlamp aim alone was recorded 2,292 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 25.8% in the 0-30k band and 30.0% in the 150k+ band, a 4.3-point spread.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 27.9% of the time against 28.2% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 36.6% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.7% | 4,313 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.1% | 2,865 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.6% | 2,099 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.5% | 1,421 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.4% | 1,402 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.7% | 1,037 |
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 | 2,292 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 2,183 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 1,510 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 1,221 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 1,133 |
| 6 | Joints | 844 |
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 | 36.6% | 8,035 |
| 2 | Tyres | 27.3% | 5,989 |
| 3 | Brakes | 22.8% | 5,007 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 19.9% | 4,356 |
| 5 | Other defects | 14.6% | 3,207 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.9% | 2,829 |
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 | 66 | 25.8% |
| 30-60k | 352 | 16.5% |
| 60-90k | 1,538 | 22.8% |
| 90-120k | 3,411 | 25.7% |
| 120-150k | 4,960 | 27.6% |
| 150k+ | 11,550 | 30.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 12,242 | 28.2% |
| Petrol | 9,664 | 27.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,400 | 27.7% |
| 2022 | 4,949 | 28.0% |
| 2023 | 4,388 | 28.1% |
| 2024 | 3,868 | 28.5% |
| 2025 | 3,318 | 28.3% |
What to check before buying a 2004 V70
On a 2004 V70, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 19.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (19.7% 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 (9.6% 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 2004 Volvo V70s pass their MOT?
71.9% of the 21,923 2004 Volvo V70 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Volvo V70?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.7% of tests, followed by brakes (13.1%).
Does the 2004 V70 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.8% in the 0-30k band to 30.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 21,923 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.