MOT fail rates by first-use year
2009 Volvo XC70 MOT fail rate and common faults
How Volvo XC70 cars first used in 2009 did at their MOTs from 2022 to 2024, against all cars of the same age. From 3,147 DVSA MOT tests of these cars. First use is usually the date the car was first registered.
MOT data updated
At 15 years, tested in 2024
What stands out
- In 2024, at 15 years old, Volvo XC70 cars first used in 2009 failed 29.3% of MOTs (1,014 tests), 12.3 points below the 41.6% for all cars that age.
- From 2022 to 2024, as these cars went from 13 to 15 years old, the fail rate moved from 29.1% to 29.3%.
- Volvo XC70 cars first used a year earlier, in 2008, failed 31.6% at the same age of 15 years (1,034 tests, in 2023).
- The most common fail item that is not a wear item, for the Volvo XC70 at 15 years, is steering track rod end: ball joint play, at 2.6 per 100 MOTs (all cars: 1.9).
MOT fail rate by test year
| Test year | Age | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 13 years | 29.1% | 1,085 | 38.3% | −9.1 pts |
| 2023 | 14 years | 31.1% | 1,048 | 40.3% | −9.1 pts |
| 2024 | 15 years | 29.3% | 1,014 | 41.6% | −12.3 pts |
Most common faults at 15 years
These figures cover all Volvo XC70 MOTs at 15 years: cars first used 2007 to 2010, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=4,853). The list uses every first-use year so it has enough tests. Wear items (tyres, brake pads, wipers, bulbs) say more about upkeep than about the design.
MOT fail items
| Fail item | Per 100 MOTs | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Side/position light not working Wear | 6.0 | 5.8 |
| Steering track rod end: ball joint play | 2.6 | 1.9 |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect Wear | 2.5 | 2.5 |
| Coil spring broken | 2.4 | 4.1 |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid Wear | 2.2 | 2.3 |
| Brake pads under 1.5 mm Wear | 2.2 | 2.0 |
| Suspension arm bush worn | 2.1 | 2.1 |
| Tyre tread below 1.6 mm Wear | 2.0 | 3.1 |
| Headlamp aim: too low Wear | 1.8 | 1.7 |
| Tyre with cords exposed Wear | 1.8 | 1.8 |
Per 100 of the MOTs above (n=4,853). A test with two items counts once for each.
Advisories
| Advisory | Per 100 MOTs | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre tread close to the legal limit or worn on the edge Wear | 18.2 | 18.4 |
| Suspension pin or bush worn, without excessive movement | 10.6 | 8.5 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 9.6 | 11.1 |
| Brake pads wearing thin Wear | 8.1 | 6.9 |
| Coil spring: corroded | 8.1 | 7.0 |
| Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources Wear | 5.9 | 5.9 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Wear | 5.6 | 9.4 |
| Shock absorber misting oil | 5.2 | 4.2 |
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | 4.7 | 9.8 |
| Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened | 4.6 | 5.0 |
Per 100 of the MOTs above (n=4,853). A test with two items counts once for each.
Fuel type at 15 years
These figures cover all Volvo XC70 MOTs at 15 years: cars first used 2007 to 2010, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=4,853). Each fuel is set against all cars of the same fuel and age. Fuels with fewer than 1,000 tests are not shown.
| Fuel | Share of tests | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars, same fuel | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 95.8% | 32.9% | 4,647 | 42.0% | 138,323 miles |
Fail rate by mileage at 15 years
These figures cover all Volvo XC70 MOTs at 15 years: cars first used 2007 to 2010, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=4,853). At 15 years, Volvo XC70 cars at over 150,000 miles failed more often (37.3%, n=1,825) than those at 90,000 to 120,000 miles (27.8%, n=1,034). Bands with fewer than 1,000 tests are not shown.
| Mileage at test | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90,000 to 120,000 miles | 27.8% | 1,034 | 45.1% |
| 120,000 to 150,000 miles | 35.4% | 1,333 | 45.9% |
| Over 150,000 miles | 37.3% | 1,825 | 45.3% |
Car tax rules for a 2009 car
- Cars first registered from 1 March 2001 to 31 March 2017 are taxed by CO2 emissions band, from band A (the lowest emissions) to band M. The band is set by the CO2 figure on the V5C logbook.
These are the rules, not the amount for a specific car. Car tax check
ULEZ and clean air zones
- Diesel cars first registered before September 2015 usually do not meet Euro 6, so a 2009 diesel usually pays the ULEZ daily charge. A few models met Euro 6 early.
- The clean air zones in Birmingham and Bristol use the same Euro 4 petrol and Euro 6 diesel standards. The low emission zones in Scotland use them too, but enforce them with fines, not a daily charge.
The Euro standard of the car decides, not the year alone. ULEZ checker
Other years of the Volvo XC70
Other Volvo models first used in 2009
| Model | Age at test | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volvo C30 (2009) | 16 years in 2025 | 42.6% | 4,664 | 42.6% |
| Volvo V50 (2009) | 16 years in 2025 | 44.4% | 4,037 | 42.6% |
| Volvo V70 (2009) | 16 years in 2025 | 36.1% | 3,467 | 42.6% |
| Volvo XC90 (2009) | 16 years in 2025 | 38.3% | 3,038 | 42.6% |
| Volvo XC60 (2009) | 16 years in 2025 | 33.8% | 2,758 | 42.6% |
| Volvo S40 (2009) | 16 years in 2025 | 41.9% | 2,122 | 42.6% |
More on the Volvo XC70
Found one you might buy? Vet the specific car.
These figures describe 2009 Volvo XC70 cars as a group, not any one car. The VetTheCar Buying Report looks at the car you are buying: its MOT history, what similar cars did next, and what to ask the seller.
Source
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data, class 4 normal MOT tests, 2022 to 2025. MOT data updated 28 September 2026.
Not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. How we calculate these figures · Data sources
Car tax and clean air zone rules are summarised from GOV.UK and Transport for London guidance. They are general rules and are not drawn from the MOT data.