Volvo 700 Series
From 2,393 MOT tests. Average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Older 700 Seriess fare better: 1991 models pass at 64.3% vs 70.9% for 1989.
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning and windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen. The top issue, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, caused 103 failures in 2024. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 103 |
| a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 86 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 77 |
| significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake | 76 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 72 |
| exhaust system leaking or insecure | 62 |
| a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 58 |
| vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced | 56 |
| a rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources | 51 |
| steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 49 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 32% of 700 Series failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 21.4% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. Breakdown cover may be worth considering for this model. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £132.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 64.3% | vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired |
| 1990 | 71.6% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, exhaust system leaking or insecure |
| 1989 | 70.9% | windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
| 1988 | 71.3% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
2 earlier years
| 1987 | 85.6% | a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, body, cab or chassis excessively corroded at a mounting point |
| 1986 | 73.7% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake |
Typical mileage
Half of all 700 Seriess tested had between 101,843 and 163,867 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 127,998 median miles, the 700 Series has 0.021 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Volvo models
| Volvo Xc60 | 82.7% |
| Volvo V40 | 79% |
| Volvo Xc90 | 78% |
| Volvo Xc40 | 91.2% |
| Volvo V70 | 72% |
Common questions
What is the Volvo 700 Series MOT pass rate?
The Volvo 700 Series has a 72.5% MOT pass rate based on 2,393 real MOT tests. This is around the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Volvo 700 Series?
The most common MOT failure on the Volvo 700 Series is the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, which caused 103 failures. Other common issues include a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning.
What is the typical mileage of a Volvo 700 Series at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Volvo 700 Series is 127,998 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 101,843 and 163,867 miles.
Buying a used 700 Series?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 72.5% pass rate and an average repair bill of £132 when things go wrong, budget accordingly. 32% of failures on this model could actually strand you, so breakdown cover may be worth considering.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.