2007 Volvo XC70 — MOT failures & pass rate
8,635 MOT tests on the 2007 Volvo XC70 are in this dataset, and 74.6% of them passed. Against large family cars of a similar age (27.0% fail rate), the 2007 XC70 comes out 1.6pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 15.6% of all tests — 4.6 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, position lamp and pins and bushes — headlamp aim alone was recorded 693 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 28.4% versus 12.0%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 40.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 24.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 26.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.6% | 1,344 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.9% | 944 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.2% | 881 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.9% | 419 |
| 5 | Steering | 4.5% | 390 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.3% | 288 |
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 | 693 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 624 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 561 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 465 |
| 5 | Flexible brake hoses | 332 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 297 |
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 | 40.2% | 3,475 |
| 2 | Brakes | 26.6% | 2,295 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.9% | 2,237 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 19.1% | 1,652 |
| 5 | Other defects | 15.7% | 1,353 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 8.5% | 735 |
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 | 142 | 12.0% |
| 60-90k | 755 | 20.5% |
| 90-120k | 1,601 | 21.2% |
| 120-150k | 2,509 | 25.8% |
| 150k+ | 3,610 | 28.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 8,150 | 25.6% |
| Petrol | 485 | 22.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,903 | 24.5% |
| 2022 | 1,853 | 25.0% |
| 2023 | 1,759 | 26.0% |
| 2024 | 1,633 | 25.2% |
| 2025 | 1,487 | 26.4% |
What to check before buying a 2007 XC70
On a 2007 XC70, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (15.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (10.9% 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 (10.2% 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 2007 Volvo XC70s pass their MOT?
74.6% of the 8,635 2007 Volvo XC70 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Volvo XC70?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.6% of tests, followed by brakes (10.9%).
Does the 2007 XC70 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.0% in the 30-60k band to 28.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 8,635 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.