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Common problems by part

Volvo C70 steering problems

DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 4,385 MOT tests · Updated

At 16 years, 3.0 in 100 MOT tests of the Volvo C70 failed on steering, against 3.4 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 4,385 MOT tests) [1].

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  • Against all class 4 vehicles the same age: about average for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years), 130 MOT tests with a fail
  • By age: seen at 12 ages from 11 to 22 years, 30,662 MOT tests
  • Most common fail: Steering rack: gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt, 1.8 per 100 MOT tests

Figures are for the model as a whole, not for one car.

What the MOT tests show

What we know

3.0 fails per 100 MOT tests at 16 years, against 3.4 for all class 4 vehicles tested at 16 (all test years). That is about average.

Why it matters

A steering fail stops the car passing until it is fixed; the most common one is rated major by DVSA.

What to check

With the engine running, turn the wheel lock to lock: listen for knocks or groans and feel for play at the straight-ahead position. On the drive the car should not wander.

Volvo C70 steering fails by age

Volvo C70 steering fails per 100 MOT tests by ageSolid line: the Volvo C70. Dashed line: all cars the same age. The table below lists every value.02411 years: 1.1 per 100 (all cars 2.5), 1,032 MOT tests1112 years: 2.5 per 100 (all cars 2.8), 1,796 MOT tests1213 years: 4.3 per 100 (all cars 2.9), 2,489 MOT tests1314 years: 4.5 per 100 (all cars 3.2), 3,362 MOT tests1415 years: 3.9 per 100 (all cars 3.3), 4,096 MOT tests1516 years: 3.0 per 100 (all cars 3.4), 4,385 MOT tests1617 years: 3.4 per 100 (all cars 3.6), 3,749 MOT tests1718 years: 4.0 per 100 (all cars 3.9), 3,203 MOT tests1819 years: 5.4 per 100 (all cars 4.1), 2,425 MOT tests1920 years: 4.0 per 100 (all cars 4.2), 1,688 MOT tests2021 years: 5.3 per 100 (all cars 4.2), 1,414 MOT tests2122 years: 5.3 per 100 (all cars 4.0), 1,023 MOT tests22
Fails per 100 MOT tests by age, all first-use years pooled. Volvo C70 All class 4 vehicles the same age Shaded: over 18 years, survivors only.
AgeMOT testsFails per 100All class 4 vehicles the same age
111,0321.12.5
121,7962.52.8
132,4894.32.9
143,3624.53.2
154,0963.93.3
164,3853.03.4
173,7493.43.6
183,2034.03.9
19*2,4255.44.1
20*1,6884.04.2
21*1,4145.34.2
22*1,0235.34.0

All first-use years of the Volvo C70 pooled at each age, against all class 4 vehicles at that age over all 2022–2025 test years. * Only survivors are still tested at this age.

What fails in the steering at 16 years

Fails

Advisories (not fails)

Replace steering rack gaiter cost

Repair figures are estimates, not quotes: how we estimate repair costs.

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Buying Report £14.99 incl. VAT · one car · no subscription · Not a mechanical inspection.

  • Model risks for this year and fuel
  • What similar cars did at their next MOT
  • Repairs ahead
  • Viewing checklist

See a sample report

How to check on a test drive

With the engine running, turn the wheel lock to lock: listen for knocks or groans and feel for play at the straight-ahead position. On the drive the car should not wander.

The most common advisory here in MOT records: Play in steering rack inner joint(s).

Check one Volvo C70, not the average

The figures here describe Volvo C70 cars as a group. These free tools answer for one car. Each line says what the tool reads.

Other Volvo C70 problems

Steering on rival models

Questions people ask

Does the Volvo C70 have more steering problems than other cars?

3.0 in 100 MOT tests at 16 years, against 3.4 for all class 4 vehicles the same age: about average by our test (all test years; 4,385 MOT tests).

How common are Volvo C70 steering problems?

3.0 in 100 MOT tests at 16 years failed on steering, against 3.4 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 4,385 MOT tests).

What is the most common Volvo C70 steering fail?

1.8 in 100 MOT tests at 16 years: Steering rack: gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (81 MOT tests with it).

Sources

  1. Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2022 to 2025. DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, 30,662 MOT tests. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.
  2. Office for National Statistics, Consumer price inflation, local price quotes (car repair items). ONS price quotes, series 610236. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.

Parts: against all class 4 vehicles at the same age, all 2022–2025 test years pooled, not adjusted for mileage. Breakdowns and non-MOT faults are not in this data. How we compare