Volvo V70 (1998)

9,907 real MOT outcomes analysed • 67.7% first-time pass rate

1998 Volvo V70

CarHunch analysed 9,907 real MOT records for the 1998 Volvo V70. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 12.3% below UK average
67.7%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
130,538
typical mileage
107,008–156,440 middle half
32.1%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
4.47
avg MOT failures per car
over 13.4 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1998 Volvo V70

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
  • 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
  • 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
  • ⚠️ 32.1% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
  • 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a Volvo V70

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (87%) 8,644 67.7% 4.43
Diesel (12%) 1,206 66.9% 4.8
LPG (1%) 56 70.1% 4.61
Other (0%) 1 100% 0

Mileage Distribution

Most 1998 Volvo V70 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

107,008
low mileage
130,538
typical
156,440
high mileage

Half of all 1998 Volvo V70 vehicles fall between 107,008 and 156,440 miles.

1998 Volvo V70 — Still on the Road

Numbers are declining — 635 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (14% of peak).

4,475 635 2014 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.

MOT History Averages

13.4
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
4.47
Avg failures per vehicle
19.2
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1998 Volvo V70

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

  • 68.4%
    Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 66.3%
    Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated
  • 66%
    Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated
  • 65.2%
    Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 46%
    Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 46%
    Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 40.5%
    Oil leak
  • 35.8%
    Parking brake: efficiency below requirements

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1998. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Volvo V70?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — Volvo V70:

1997 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016