2014 Volvo XC70 — MOT failures & pass rate
10,210 MOT tests on the 2014 Volvo XC70 are in this dataset, and 84.7% of them passed. Large family cars of a similar age fail 18.8% of the time, so this is 3.4pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, tyres and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (5.4%) and tyres (5.1%) 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 headlamp aim — coil spring alone was recorded 487 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 10.9% in the 0-30k band and 20.8% in the 150k+ band, a 9.9-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 22.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 12.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 16.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 5.4% | 547 |
| 2 | Tyres | 5.1% | 518 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 3.4% | 346 |
| 4 | Brakes | 3.0% | 309 |
| 5 | Steering | 2.7% | 275 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.3% | 237 |
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 | 487 |
| 2 | Track rod end | 293 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 230 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 188 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 173 |
| 6 | Wipers | 154 |
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 | 22.3% | 2,280 |
| 2 | Brakes | 17.1% | 1,747 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.9% | 909 |
| 4 | Other defects | 5.6% | 568 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.5% | 461 |
| 6 | Steering | 3.9% | 396 |
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 | 229 | 10.9% |
| 30-60k | 1,854 | 9.8% |
| 60-90k | 3,533 | 15.1% |
| 90-120k | 2,713 | 16.6% |
| 120-150k | 1,208 | 19.1% |
| 150k+ | 667 | 20.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 10,041 | 15.4% |
| Petrol | 169 | 12.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,991 | 12.7% |
| 2022 | 2,005 | 14.3% |
| 2023 | 2,062 | 16.5% |
| 2024 | 2,083 | 16.4% |
| 2025 | 2,069 | 16.7% |
What to check before buying a 2014 XC70
On a 2014 XC70, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (5.4% 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 (5.1% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (3.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2014 Volvo XC70s pass their MOT?
84.7% of the 10,210 2014 Volvo XC70 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 15.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2014 Volvo XC70?
Suspension, recorded in 5.4% of tests, followed by tyres (5.1%).
Does the 2014 XC70 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.9% in the 0-30k band to 20.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 10,210 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.