2002 Volvo XC70 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 653 MOT tests, the 2002 Volvo XC70 recorded a 73.0% pass rate. Against large family cars of a similar age (28.1% fail rate), the 2002 XC70 comes out 1.2pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.6% of tests against 15.0% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, headlamp aim and pins and bushes — position lamp alone was recorded 73 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 19.2% of 90-120k cars fail, rising to 30.2% once past 150k.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 44.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 29.4% in 2021 to 26.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 21.6% | 141 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.0% | 98 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.6% | 76 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.6% | 30 |
| 5 | Steering | 3.7% | 24 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.4% | 22 |
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 | 73 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 62 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 48 |
| 4 | Individual direction indicators | 34 |
| 5 | Flexible brake hoses | 27 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 26 |
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 | 44.1% | 288 |
| 2 | Other defects | 31.2% | 204 |
| 3 | Brakes | 27.6% | 180 |
| 4 | Tyres | 25.1% | 164 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 22.4% | 146 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 22.2% | 145 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 90-120k | 78 | 19.2% |
| 120-150k | 158 | 25.9% |
| 150k+ | 361 | 30.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 474 | 27.0% |
| Petrol | 179 | 26.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 170 | 29.4% |
| 2022 | 158 | 27.2% |
| 2023 | 127 | 26.8% |
| 2024 | 105 | 22.9% |
| 2025 | 93 | 26.9% |
What to check before buying a 2002 XC70
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 21.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (21.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (15.0% 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.
- Brakes (11.6% 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 2002 Volvo XC70s pass their MOT?
73.0% of the 653 2002 Volvo XC70 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Volvo XC70?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.6% of tests, followed by suspension (15.0%).
Does the 2002 XC70 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.2% in the 90-120k band to 30.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 653 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.