2006 Volvo XC70 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2006 Volvo XC70 passed 73.1% of its 8,113 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as large family cars of a similar age (27.5% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.2% of tests against 13.3% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, position lamp and headlamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 905 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 29.2% versus 16.0%.
The petrol cars hold up better: 25.2% fail against 27.1% for diesel, a 1.8-point gap across 8,110 tests.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 42.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.2% | 1,478 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.3% | 1,082 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.6% | 943 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.1% | 331 |
| 5 | Steering | 4.0% | 322 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.8% | 307 |
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 | 905 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 649 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 635 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 500 |
| 5 | Flexible brake hoses | 332 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 277 |
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 | 42.1% | 3,419 |
| 2 | Brakes | 27.1% | 2,199 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.6% | 1,996 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 22.6% | 1,834 |
| 5 | Other defects | 13.9% | 1,124 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 9.2% | 745 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 131 | 16.0% |
| 60-90k | 543 | 19.3% |
| 90-120k | 1,384 | 23.7% |
| 120-150k | 2,380 | 27.5% |
| 150k+ | 3,665 | 29.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 7,432 | 27.1% |
| Petrol | 678 | 25.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,877 | 27.2% |
| 2022 | 1,731 | 25.7% |
| 2023 | 1,684 | 28.0% |
| 2024 | 1,490 | 26.6% |
| 2025 | 1,331 | 27.1% |
What to check before buying a 2006 XC70
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 18.2% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (18.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (13.3% 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 (11.6% 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 XC70s pass their MOT?
73.1% of the 8,113 2006 Volvo XC70 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Volvo XC70?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.2% of tests, followed by brakes (13.3%).
Does the 2006 XC70 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.0% in the 30-60k band to 29.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 8,113 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.