2009 Volvo V70 — MOT failures & pass rate
24,025 MOT tests on the 2009 Volvo V70 are in this dataset, and 77.9% of them passed. Large family cars of a similar age fail 25.2% of the time, so this is 3.1pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.1% of tests against 8.4% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, position lamp and washers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 1,415 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 17.2% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 25.2% once past 150k.
The petrol cars hold up better: 19.9% fail against 22.3% for diesel, a 2.3-point gap across 24,019 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 29.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 20.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 23.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.1% | 3,152 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.4% | 2,013 |
| 3 | Tyres | 6.9% | 1,653 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.5% | 1,312 |
| 5 | Brakes | 4.5% | 1,078 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.9% | 684 |
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 | 1,415 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 1,282 |
| 3 | Washers | 1,067 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 784 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 688 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 683 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 29.1% | 6,984 |
| 2 | Suspension | 28.9% | 6,944 |
| 3 | Brakes | 21.5% | 5,161 |
| 4 | Other defects | 12.7% | 3,057 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 12.3% | 2,967 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.1% | 2,427 |
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 | 87 | 17.2% |
| 30-60k | 809 | 13.0% |
| 60-90k | 2,736 | 16.6% |
| 90-120k | 5,670 | 19.7% |
| 120-150k | 6,503 | 23.8% |
| 150k+ | 8,215 | 25.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 22,478 | 22.3% |
| Petrol | 1,541 | 19.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,044 | 20.2% |
| 2022 | 4,964 | 20.6% |
| 2023 | 4,894 | 22.5% |
| 2024 | 4,742 | 24.1% |
| 2025 | 4,381 | 23.5% |
What to check before buying a 2009 V70
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 13.1% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (13.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.4% 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 (6.9% 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 2009 Volvo V70s pass their MOT?
77.9% of the 24,025 2009 Volvo V70 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Volvo V70?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.1% of tests, followed by suspension (8.4%).
Does the 2009 V70 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.2% in the 0-30k band to 25.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 24,025 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.