Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1998 Volvo S70?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 1998 Volvo S70?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 1998 Volvo S70?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 1998 Volvo S70 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

23% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 1998 Volvo S70 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 2,573 vehicles, the 1998 Volvo S70 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 71.1%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 1998 Volvo S70?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 1998 Volvo S70 are: Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (50.4% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (45.9% of vehicles), Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (44.2% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1998 Volvo S70?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

CarHunch

Get Started

Volvo S70 (1998)

2,573 real MOT outcomes analysed • 71.1% first-time pass rate

1998 Volvo S70

CarHunch analysed 2,573 real MOT records for the 1998 Volvo S70. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

On this page

AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 1998 Volvo S70 passes its MOT first time in only 71% of cases, notably below the UK average of 80%, and nearly a quarter of these cars have recorded dangerous defects—a significant concern for a buyer considering an aging saloon. Petrol and diesel versions perform virtually identically, both struggling with similar reliability.

At 113,000 miles median, these S70s are relatively high-mileage for their age, yet they're accumulating an average of 3.34 failures and 13 advisories per test, suggesting wear and age-related deterioration rather than isolated problems. If you're considering one, factor in immediate inspection of suspension, braking, and cooling components, and treat any example with a clean recent MOT as genuinely above average for the breed.

The 1998 Volvo S70 has a below-average first-time pass rate (71.1% vs ~80% UK average) — check the specific vehicle's full MOT history carefully before buying.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

71.1%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

23%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.34

Over 11 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

113k

Middle half: 90k–141k

For context

⚠️ Below average. More vehicles in this cohort fail their first MOT than typical. Scrutinise this vehicle's history — look for recurring issues, not just the latest result.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 13 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 2,573 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Buyer beware — pass it on

What tends to go wrong

Across 2,573 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 50.4%

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 44.2%

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated · Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated · Parking brake: efficiency below requirements · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Other issues 23.3%

Oil leak · Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A'

Exhaust & emissions 19.3%

Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported

Lighting 15.2%

Offside Front position lamp(s) not working

Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1998.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 2,573 Volvo S70 cars.

Before you buy a 1998 Volvo S70

Based on MOT data from 2,573 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 23% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (92%)	2,377	71.2%	3.36
Diesel (7%)	174	70.9%	3.11

Colour Breakdown

Based on 7,153 Volvo S70 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 26.5%

1,895

Blue 19.1%

1,369

Green 16.9%

1,209

Red 16.2%

1,161

Black 5.8%

412

Grey 4.7%

335

White 4.6%

330

Turquoise 4.2%

302

Purple 1%

Orange 0.4%

Gold 0.3%

Cream 0.3%

Mileage Distribution

Most 1998 Volvo S70 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

113,078

typical

89,510

low mileage

140,735

high mileage

Half of all 1998 Volvo S70 vehicles fall between 89,510 and 140,735 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 89,510 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 89,510–140,735 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1998 Volvo S70s sit.

⚠ Over 189,992 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

1998 Volvo S70 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 18% of 1998 Volvo S70s are still active.

Numbers are declining — 153 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (18% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.34

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Volvo S70: All S70 years → Which year to buy? →

1997 1999 2000

Or browse all models: Volvo →

Compare with another model

See how the 1998 Volvo S70 stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on