2011 Volvo XC70 — MOT failures & pass rate
11,261 MOT tests on the 2011 Volvo XC70 are in this dataset, and 81.1% of them passed. Against large family cars of a similar age (23.0% fail rate), the 2011 XC70 comes out 4.1pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (10.0%) and suspension (8.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, position lamp and headlamp aim — coil spring alone was recorded 495 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 23.3% versus 8.9%.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 24.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 17.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 21.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.0% | 1,123 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.0% | 896 |
| 3 | Tyres | 4.7% | 527 |
| 4 | Brakes | 3.3% | 375 |
| 5 | Steering | 2.9% | 321 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.5% | 286 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 495 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 477 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 373 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 316 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 258 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 212 |
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 | 24.0% | 2,706 |
| 2 | Suspension | 18.7% | 2,108 |
| 3 | Brakes | 18.4% | 2,067 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 9.1% | 1,026 |
| 5 | Other defects | 8.8% | 988 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.0% | 563 |
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 | 56 | 8.9% |
| 30-60k | 618 | 10.5% |
| 60-90k | 2,304 | 16.9% |
| 90-120k | 3,189 | 17.5% |
| 120-150k | 2,718 | 20.6% |
| 150k+ | 2,375 | 23.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 11,132 | 18.9% |
| Petrol | 129 | 17.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,285 | 17.3% |
| 2022 | 2,263 | 17.7% |
| 2023 | 2,242 | 18.8% |
| 2024 | 2,227 | 19.7% |
| 2025 | 2,244 | 21.2% |
What to check before buying a 2011 XC70
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 10.0% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (10.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.0% 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.
- Tyres (4.7% 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 2011 Volvo XC70s pass their MOT?
81.1% of the 11,261 2011 Volvo XC70 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Volvo XC70?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.0% of tests, followed by suspension (8.0%).
Does the 2011 XC70 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.9% in the 0-30k band to 23.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 11,261 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.