2008 Volvo XC70 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2008 Volvo XC70 passed 80.3% of its 6,206 recorded MOT tests. Against large family cars of a similar age (26.2% fail rate), the 2008 XC70 comes out 6.5pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.6% of tests against 8.3% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, headlamp aim and washers — position lamp alone was recorded 299 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 12.3% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 22.9% once past 150k.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 32.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 18.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 20.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.6% | 719 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.3% | 518 |
| 3 | Tyres | 4.8% | 295 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.3% | 264 |
| 5 | Brakes | 3.8% | 237 |
| 6 | Steering | 2.8% | 175 |
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 | 299 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 270 |
| 3 | Washers | 189 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 164 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 133 |
| 6 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 120 |
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 | 32.9% | 2,039 |
| 2 | Tyres | 24.3% | 1,509 |
| 3 | Brakes | 20.5% | 1,272 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 11.6% | 718 |
| 5 | Other defects | 10.0% | 620 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.0% | 373 |
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 | 236 | 12.3% |
| 60-90k | 562 | 14.4% |
| 90-120k | 1,281 | 18.1% |
| 120-150k | 1,635 | 19.0% |
| 150k+ | 2,471 | 22.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 5,913 | 19.9% |
| Petrol | 293 | 16.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,289 | 18.1% |
| 2022 | 1,297 | 18.7% |
| 2023 | 1,260 | 20.1% |
| 2024 | 1,220 | 21.5% |
| 2025 | 1,140 | 20.2% |
What to check before buying a 2008 XC70
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 11.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (11.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.3% 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 (4.8% 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 2008 Volvo XC70s pass their MOT?
80.3% of the 6,206 2008 Volvo XC70 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Volvo XC70?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.6% of tests, followed by suspension (8.3%).
Does the 2008 XC70 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.3% in the 30-60k band to 22.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,206 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.