2016 Volvo XC70 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2016 Volvo XC70 passed 85.1% of its 5,992 recorded MOT tests. Large family cars of a similar age fail at 15.3%, so the 2016 XC70 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (5.7%) and suspension (5.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, brake pads and wipers — coil spring alone was recorded 313 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 24.8% versus 7.3%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 24.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 11.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 14.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.7% | 339 |
| 2 | Suspension | 5.6% | 333 |
| 3 | Brakes | 3.4% | 205 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 3.0% | 178 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.9% | 115 |
| 6 | Steering | 1.2% | 74 |
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 | 313 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 170 |
| 3 | Wipers | 108 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 92 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 89 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 88 |
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% | 1,440 |
| 2 | Brakes | 17.7% | 1,058 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.6% | 395 |
| 4 | Other defects | 6.0% | 359 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.2% | 253 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 3.7% | 222 |
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 | 344 | 7.3% |
| 30-60k | 2,179 | 13.1% |
| 60-90k | 2,112 | 15.3% |
| 90-120k | 946 | 17.6% |
| 120-150k | 291 | 20.6% |
| 150k+ | 117 | 24.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,183 | 11.8% |
| 2022 | 1,186 | 15.3% |
| 2023 | 1,196 | 15.0% |
| 2024 | 1,233 | 17.4% |
| 2025 | 1,194 | 14.9% |
What to check before buying a 2016 XC70
On a 2016 XC70, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (5.7% 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.
- Suspension (5.6% 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.
- Brakes (3.4% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2016 Volvo XC70s pass their MOT?
85.1% of the 5,992 2016 Volvo XC70 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Volvo XC70?
Tyres, recorded in 5.7% of tests, followed by suspension (5.6%).
Does the 2016 XC70 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.3% in the 0-30k band to 24.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,992 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.