2010 Volvo XC70 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 8,642 MOT tests, the 2010 Volvo XC70 recorded an 81.4% pass rate. Large family cars of a similar age fail 24.2% of the time, so this is 5.5pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (10.2%) and suspension (7.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, position lamp and coil spring — headlamp aim alone was recorded 372 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 10.5% in the 0-30k band and 22.4% in the 150k+ band, a 11.9-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 24.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 16.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 20.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.2% | 878 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.8% | 673 |
| 3 | Tyres | 4.9% | 427 |
| 4 | Brakes | 3.2% | 279 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.2% | 277 |
| 6 | Steering | 2.4% | 204 |
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 | 372 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 358 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 329 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 221 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 200 |
| 6 | Washers | 188 |
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 | 24.6% | 2,129 |
| 2 | Suspension | 21.0% | 1,811 |
| 3 | Brakes | 19.2% | 1,657 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 10.1% | 873 |
| 5 | Other defects | 7.9% | 684 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.5% | 389 |
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 | 38 | 10.5% |
| 30-60k | 317 | 7.9% |
| 60-90k | 1,198 | 14.4% |
| 90-120k | 2,227 | 16.6% |
| 120-150k | 2,281 | 20.3% |
| 150k+ | 2,581 | 22.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 8,492 | 18.7% |
| Petrol | 150 | 16.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,758 | 16.7% |
| 2022 | 1,734 | 16.9% |
| 2023 | 1,777 | 20.4% |
| 2024 | 1,707 | 19.3% |
| 2025 | 1,666 | 20.0% |
What to check before buying a 2010 XC70
On a 2010 XC70, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 10.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (10.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.8% 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 (4.9% 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 2010 Volvo XC70s pass their MOT?
81.4% of the 8,642 2010 Volvo XC70 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Volvo XC70?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.2% of tests, followed by suspension (7.8%).
Does the 2010 XC70 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.5% in the 0-30k band to 22.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 8,642 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.