2012 Volvo XC70 — MOT failures & pass rate
8,182 MOT tests on the 2012 Volvo XC70 are in this dataset, and 81.4% of them passed. That is 3.1 percentage points better than large family cars of a similar age, which fail at 21.7%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (8.6%) and suspension (7.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, track rod end and position lamp — coil spring alone was recorded 414 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 11.1% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 22.7% once past 150k — 2.0× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 22.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 17.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 19.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.6% | 702 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.5% | 614 |
| 3 | Tyres | 4.6% | 376 |
| 4 | Steering | 3.9% | 316 |
| 5 | Brakes | 3.2% | 264 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.4% | 200 |
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 | 414 |
| 2 | Track rod end | 343 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 259 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 231 |
| 5 | Individual direction indicators | 195 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 183 |
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 | 22.4% | 1,837 |
| 2 | Brakes | 18.4% | 1,503 |
| 3 | Suspension | 15.3% | 1,252 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 8.5% | 691 |
| 5 | Other defects | 7.1% | 585 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.7% | 470 |
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 | 54 | 11.1% |
| 30-60k | 807 | 12.5% |
| 60-90k | 1,991 | 16.9% |
| 90-120k | 2,393 | 18.5% |
| 120-150k | 1,653 | 20.8% |
| 150k+ | 1,284 | 22.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 8,070 | 18.7% |
| Petrol | 112 | 8.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,646 | 17.0% |
| 2022 | 1,638 | 16.9% |
| 2023 | 1,651 | 19.1% |
| 2024 | 1,643 | 20.2% |
| 2025 | 1,604 | 19.8% |
What to check before buying a 2012 XC70
On a 2012 XC70, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 8.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (8.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.5% 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 (4.6% 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 2012 Volvo XC70s pass their MOT?
81.4% of the 8,182 2012 Volvo XC70 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Volvo XC70?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.6% of tests, followed by suspension (7.5%).
Does the 2012 XC70 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.1% in the 0-30k band to 22.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 8,182 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.