2005 Volvo V70 — MOT failures & pass rate
24,492 MOT tests on the 2005 Volvo V70 are in this dataset, and 73.0% of them passed. That is effectively the same as large family cars of a similar age (27.8% 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 17.9% of tests against 12.5% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and position lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 2,709 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 17.5% in the 0-30k band and 29.2% in the 150k+ band, a 11.8-point spread.
Fuel type barely separates them — diesel fails 26.9% of the time against 27.1% for petrol.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 35.8% 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 | 17.9% | 4,385 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.5% | 3,057 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.9% | 2,173 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.3% | 1,545 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.1% | 1,494 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.1% | 998 |
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 | 2,709 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 1,961 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 1,946 |
| 4 | Rbt (sp) | 1,603 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 1,233 |
| 6 | Joints | 874 |
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 | 35.8% | 8,763 |
| 2 | Tyres | 27.3% | 6,688 |
| 3 | Brakes | 23.1% | 5,662 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 22.1% | 5,415 |
| 5 | Other defects | 13.5% | 3,300 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.5% | 3,072 |
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 | 63 | 17.5% |
| 30-60k | 501 | 15.2% |
| 60-90k | 1,739 | 20.1% |
| 90-120k | 4,135 | 24.3% |
| 120-150k | 5,974 | 27.3% |
| 150k+ | 12,068 | 29.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 14,679 | 26.9% |
| Petrol | 9,813 | 27.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,750 | 26.7% |
| 2022 | 5,452 | 27.2% |
| 2023 | 4,901 | 26.3% |
| 2024 | 4,456 | 27.8% |
| 2025 | 3,933 | 27.2% |
What to check before buying a 2005 V70
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 17.9% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (17.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.5% 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 (8.9% 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 2005 Volvo V70s pass their MOT?
73.0% of the 24,492 2005 Volvo V70 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Volvo V70?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.9% of tests, followed by brakes (12.5%).
Does the 2005 V70 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.5% in the 0-30k band to 29.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 24,492 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.