2006 Volvo V70 — MOT failures & pass rate
18,969 MOT tests on the 2006 Volvo V70 are in this dataset, and 73.4% of them passed. Large family cars of a similar age fail at 27.5%, so the 2006 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 17.3% of all tests — 4.2 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and position lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 1,818 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 28.6% versus 18.9%.
Fuel type barely separates them — diesel fails 26.6% of the time against 26.6% for petrol.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 34.5% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.3% | 3,280 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.1% | 2,476 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.6% | 1,439 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.4% | 1,217 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.3% | 1,001 |
| 6 | Steering | 3.5% | 665 |
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 | 1,818 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 1,489 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 1,400 |
| 4 | Rbt (sp) | 1,190 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 1,007 |
| 6 | Parking brake performance | 562 |
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 | 34.5% | 6,539 |
| 2 | Tyres | 27.2% | 5,167 |
| 3 | Brakes | 25.6% | 4,848 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 22.9% | 4,350 |
| 5 | Other defects | 11.5% | 2,177 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.7% | 2,036 |
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 | 37 | 18.9% |
| 30-60k | 483 | 13.7% |
| 60-90k | 1,673 | 22.2% |
| 90-120k | 3,567 | 25.7% |
| 120-150k | 4,970 | 26.7% |
| 150k+ | 8,233 | 28.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 12,945 | 26.6% |
| Petrol | 6,019 | 26.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,483 | 26.8% |
| 2022 | 4,167 | 26.4% |
| 2023 | 3,798 | 26.3% |
| 2024 | 3,442 | 26.8% |
| 2025 | 3,079 | 26.6% |
What to check before buying a 2006 V70
On a 2006 V70, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (17.3% 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 (7.6% 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 2006 Volvo V70s pass their MOT?
73.4% of the 18,969 2006 Volvo V70 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Volvo V70?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.3% of tests, followed by brakes (13.1%).
Does the 2006 V70 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.9% in the 0-30k band to 28.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 18,969 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.