2008 Volvo V70 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 21,930 MOT tests, the 2008 Volvo V70 recorded a 79.0% pass rate. Large family cars of a similar age fail 26.2% of the time, so this is 5.2pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 11.5% of all tests — 3.4 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, headlamp aim and washers — position lamp alone was recorded 1,124 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 15.2% in the 0-30k band and 24.4% in the 150k+ band, a 9.3-point spread.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.4pp more often than petrol ones (21.3% vs 18.9%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 32.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 19.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 22.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.5% | 2,515 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.0% | 1,761 |
| 3 | Tyres | 6.8% | 1,496 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.5% | 995 |
| 5 | Brakes | 3.8% | 840 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.7% | 813 |
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 | 1,124 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 1,080 |
| 3 | Washers | 755 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 625 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 597 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 529 |
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 | 32.0% | 7,026 |
| 2 | Tyres | 28.6% | 6,269 |
| 3 | Brakes | 20.8% | 4,564 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.2% | 2,672 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 12.0% | 2,643 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.2% | 2,231 |
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 | 15.2% |
| 30-60k | 688 | 14.1% |
| 60-90k | 2,214 | 15.3% |
| 90-120k | 4,666 | 18.3% |
| 120-150k | 5,982 | 21.4% |
| 150k+ | 8,309 | 24.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 19,610 | 21.3% |
| Petrol | 2,317 | 18.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,755 | 19.9% |
| 2022 | 4,626 | 20.3% |
| 2023 | 4,461 | 20.6% |
| 2024 | 4,186 | 22.1% |
| 2025 | 3,902 | 22.6% |
What to check before buying a 2008 V70
On a 2008 V70, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 11.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (11.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.0% 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.
- Tyres (6.8% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 2008 Volvo V70s pass their MOT?
79.0% of the 21,930 2008 Volvo V70 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Volvo V70?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.5% of tests, followed by suspension (8.0%).
Does the 2008 V70 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.2% in the 0-30k band to 24.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 21,930 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.