Diesel Volvo Xc70: MOT pass rate

74.1% of diesel Volvo Xc70s pass the MOT first time, measured across 16,610 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 126,901.

Diesel against the other Volvo Xc70 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 Xc70 specifically, diesel is the strongest at 74.1%, and this diesel version sits 0 points above the 74.1% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

There is little to choose between fuel types on this model, so decide on running costs and mileage rather than MOT record. 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 Xc70 had covered 126,901 miles at test, against 121,005 for the petrol. That is high mileage, so timing belts, clutches, suspension bushes and corrosion are the items worth budgeting for rather than the MOT itself.

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 Xc70 page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a diesel Volvo Xc70

1. Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 1.9% of tests (2.49x the national rate for this defect)
2. A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, 2.9% of tests (2.24x the national rate for this defect)
3. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 4.2% of tests (1.78x the national rate for this defect)
4. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 4% of tests (1.74x the national rate for this defect)
5. A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 3.5% of tests (1.55x the national rate for this defect)
6. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 2.4% of tests (1.43x the national rate for this defect)
7. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 6.9% of tests (1.37x the national rate for this defect)
8. A tyre seriously damaged, 2.8% of tests
9. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 2.4% of tests
10. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 2.2% of tests

From 16,685 DVSA-tracked diesel Volvo Xc70 tests, 2024, split out from the Volvo Xc70's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 4.42% 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 Xc70

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, 3.7% of tests (2.72x the national rate for this defect)
2. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 24.9% of tests (1.86x the national rate for this defect), also fails
3. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 8.8% of tests (1.86x the national rate for this defect), also fails
4. A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, 2.5% of tests (1.84x the national rate for this defect), also fails
5. Product on the lens or light source which obviously reduces light intensity or changes emitted colour to other than white or yellow, 1.9% of tests (1.74x the national rate for this defect)
6. Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn, 4.7% of tests (1.48x the national rate for this defect)
7. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 5.1% of tests (1.31x the national rate for this defect)
8. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 14.9% of tests (1.22x the national rate for this defect)
9. Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 3.1% of tests (1.18x the national rate for this defect)
10. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 29.9% of tests, also fails

From 16,685 DVSA-tracked diesel Volvo Xc70 tests, 2024.

Other Volvo Xc70 fuel types

• Petrol Volvo Xc70 - 72.9%

All Volvo Xc70 MOT data · Every model