Diesel Volvo V70: MOT pass rate

71.4% of diesel Volvo V70s pass the MOT first time, measured across 28,789 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 141,451.

Diesel against the other Volvo V70 versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Diesels carry DPFs, EGR valves and stricter smoke limits, so emissions and exhaust faults account for failures petrol cars never see.

On the Volvo V70 specifically, diesel is the strongest at 71.4%, and this diesel version sits 2 points above the 69.4% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

The diesel Volvo V70 is the stronger side of this model on MOT data. Still judge the individual car, but the fuel type is a mild point in its favour. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.

Mileage is part of the answer

The average diesel Volvo V70 had covered 141,451 miles at test, against 140,567 for the petrol. That is very high mileage. Clutches, dual-mass flywheels and head gaskets have usually been through at least one repair by this point, so ask for evidence rather than assume the car is original everywhere.

Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the Volvo V70 page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a diesel Volvo V70

1. Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements, 1.8% of tests (2.95x the national rate for this defect)
2. Parking brake inoperative on one side, 1.6% of tests (2.76x the national rate for this defect)
3. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 3.8% of tests (2.24x the national rate for this defect)
4. A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 4.9% of tests (2.19x the national rate for this defect)
5. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 5% of tests (2.11x the national rate for this defect)
6. Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 1.6% of tests (2.1x the national rate for this defect)
7. A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, 2.7% of tests (2.05x the national rate for this defect)
8. Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, 2.3% of tests (1.76x the national rate for this defect)
9. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 8.2% of tests (1.62x the national rate for this defect)
10. Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, 2.3% of tests (1.39x the national rate for this defect)

From 28,913 DVSA-tracked diesel Volvo V70 tests, 2024, split out from the Volvo V70's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 5.3% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a diesel Volvo V70

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements, 5.1% of tests (3.73x the national rate for this defect), also fails
2. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 15.2% of tests (3.23x the national rate for this defect)
3. A wheel badly distorted or wear between wheel and hub at spigot mounting, 3.2% of tests (3.03x the national rate for this defect)
4. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 6.5% of tests (2.28x the national rate for this defect)
5. A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, 2.8% of tests (2.1x the national rate for this defect), also fails
6. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 27.5% of tests (2.06x the national rate for this defect), also fails
7. Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 4.5% of tests (1.71x the national rate for this defect)
8. A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded, 7.5% of tests (1.44x the national rate for this defect)
9. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 35.2% of tests (1.32x the national rate for this defect)
10. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 14.1% of tests

From 28,913 DVSA-tracked diesel Volvo V70 tests, 2024.

Other Volvo V70 fuel types

• Petrol Volvo V70 - 64.8%

All Volvo V70 MOT data · Every model