2015 Volvo V70 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 11,522 MOT tests analysed for the 2015 Volvo V70, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, lighting & signalling and brakes. Its pass rate of 86.9% was above the average for large family cars of a similar age (83.0%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 17.3% in the 150k+ group versus 7.0% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.1% | 698 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 3.6% | 413 |
| 3 | Brakes | 3.1% | 363 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.9% | 224 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 1.9% | 222 |
| 6 | Steering | 1.9% | 216 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake pads | 304 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 283 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 280 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 220 |
| 5 | Wipers | 176 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 155 |
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 | 24.7% | 2,845 |
| 2 | Brakes | 17.9% | 2,063 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.5% | 750 |
| 4 | Suspension | 5.3% | 608 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.1% | 474 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 3.2% | 371 |
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 | 528 | 7.0% |
| 30-60k | 3,254 | 10.7% |
| 60-90k | 3,778 | 12.9% |
| 90-120k | 2,301 | 15.4% |
| 120-150k | 1,006 | 16.5% |
| 150k+ | 655 | 17.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 11,465 | 13.1% |
| Petrol | 57 | 14.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,261 | 11.1% |
| 2022 | 2,304 | 12.5% |
| 2023 | 2,278 | 12.1% |
| 2024 | 2,364 | 15.2% |
| 2025 | 2,315 | 14.4% |
What to check before buying a 2015 V70
Before buying a 2015 Volvo V70, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 6.1% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (6.1% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (3.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (3.1% 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.
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 2015 Volvo V70s pass their MOT?
86.9% of the 11,522 2015 Volvo V70 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2015 Volvo V70?
Tyres, recorded in 6.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (3.6%).
Does the 2015 V70 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.0% in the 0-30k band to 17.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 11,522 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.