Volvo V70 (2003)
2003 Volvo V70
CarHunch analysed 8,223 real MOT records for the 2003 Volvo V70. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2003 Volvo V70 fails its MOT significantly more often than the UK average, with a first-time pass rate of just 70.3% versus 80%, and nearly half of these cars (46.1%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—a major red flag for structural, brake, or suspension issues. Petrol and diesel variants perform almost identically (70.6% and 70.0% pass rates respectively), so fuel type won't help you dodge the problem.
These cars are now over 20 years old and typically show around 121,000 miles on the odometer, yet they average 6.3 failures and nearly 31 advisories per test, suggesting wear is both widespread and serious rather than isolated. Before buying one, get a pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic familiar with Volvos—particularly check the suspension, brakes, and undercarriage for corrosion—because this cohort's failure pattern points to systemic aging issues rather than isolated bad examples.
What to check before buying a 2003 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.
- ⚠️ 46.1% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (55%) | 4,514 | 70% | 6.3 |
| Petrol (45%) | 3,661 | 70.6% | 6.31 |
| LPG (1%) | 43 | 72.4% | 5.33 |
| Gas Bi-Fuel (0%) | 3 | 67.1% | 6.67 |
| Other (0%) | 1 | 80% | 2 |
| Electric (0%) | 1 | 64.7% | 6 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2003 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.
Half of all 2003 Volvo V70 vehicles fall between 98,886 and 145,388 miles.
2003 Volvo V70 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 2,041 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (29% of peak).
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
Most Common MOT Issues — 2003 Volvo V70
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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89.6%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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87.6%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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69.1%
Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated
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68.3%
Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated
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66.2%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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62.3%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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56.5%
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement
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52.7%
Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2003. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Volvo V70?
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