Volvo Xc70 (2003)
2003 Volvo Xc70
CarHunch analysed 1,187 real MOT records for the 2003 Volvo Xc70. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2003 Volvo XC70 passes MOT first time in only 70% of cases, significantly below the UK average of 80%, and nearly half of these cars have recorded dangerous defects at some point—a serious red flag for any buyer. Both the diesel and petrol versions struggle similarly, with pass rates around 70%, so fuel type offers no reliability advantage here.
These XC70s are averaging 115,679 miles, which is reasonable for a 2003 model, but they're accumulating an average of 6.68 failures and a striking 34.1 advisories per test—suggesting chronic wear across multiple systems rather than isolated issues. Before buying, get a professional pre-purchase inspection and budget for significant repairs; these vehicles demand active maintenance to stay roadworthy.
What to check before buying a 2003 Volvo Xc70
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.
- ⚠️ 50.9% 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 Xc70
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (81%) | 958 | 69.6% | 6.81 |
| Petrol (19%) | 225 | 71.7% | 6.12 |
| LPG (0%) | 3 | 65.8% | 5.67 |
| Other (0%) | 1 | 80% | 2 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2003 Volvo Xc70 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 Xc70 vehicles fall between 95,493 and 138,855 miles.
2003 Volvo Xc70 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 361 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (36% 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 Xc70
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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77.1%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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69.6%
Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated
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69.2%
Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated
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68.1%
Oil leak, but not excessive
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66.6%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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52.9%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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52.9%
Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working
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50.7%
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2003. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Volvo Xc70?
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