Volvo 700 Series MOT Check

MOT pass rates, common failures, and reliability data for the Volvo 700 Series. Check any 700 Series by registration number below.

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75.1%

Avg Pass Rate

-12.7%

vs Volvo Avg

Year Ranges

Good

Reliability

Volvo 700 Series — MOT Reliability Overview

The Volvo 700 Series has an average MOT pass rate of 75.1%, which is 12.7 percentage points below the Volvo brand average of 87.7%. This is a reasonable result that reflects typical UK reliability standards. Regular servicing and addressing advisories promptly will help keep your 700 Series on the road.

The most common reasons a Volvo 700 Series fails its MOT are 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, wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen. If you are preparing your 700 Series for its MOT, checking these areas first could save you a retest fee. Our detailed fault analysis includes estimated repair costs for each failure type.

Before buying a used Volvo 700 Series, we recommend checking the full MOT history, write-off status, outstanding finance, and stolen vehicle status. These checks can be done for free using the registration number.

MOT Pass Rate by Year

How the Volvo 700 Series performs at MOT across different model years.

1991

Based on 172 vehicles

66.3%Average

Volvo average: 87.7%

Dangerous Defects

2.5%

Retest Rate

10.7%

1990

Based on 890 vehicles

70.2%Average

Volvo average: 87.7%

Dangerous Defects

3.7%

Retest Rate

20.9%

1989

Based on 868 vehicles

71.0%Average

Volvo average: 87.7%

Dangerous Defects

2.6%

Retest Rate

24.0%

1988

Based on 630 vehicles

71.3%Average

Volvo average: 87.7%

Dangerous Defects

2.7%

Retest Rate

20.8%

1987

Based on 296 vehicles

82.8%Good

Volvo average: 87.7%

Dangerous Defects

1.5%

Retest Rate

12.5%

1986

Based on 159 vehicles

75.5%Good

Volvo average: 87.7%

Dangerous Defects

4.4%

Retest Rate

13.3%

1985

Based on 45 vehicles

88.9%Excellent

Volvo average: 87.7%

Dangerous Defects

3.4%

0

Based on 1,170 vehicles

74.5%Average

Volvo average: 87.7%

Mileage at 5yr

132k mi

Top MOT Failures — Volvo 700 Series

The most common reasons a Volvo 700 Series fails its MOT, aggregated across all year ranges.

Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced

8.1%

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

5.3%

Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen

4.5%

A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning

3.8%

The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired

3.4%

Volvo 700 Series Common Faults & Repair Costs

Where Failures Occur

The areas of the vehicle most commonly flagged during MOT inspections.

Front Nearside

12.8%

Front Offside

9.3%

Rear Nearside

9.3%

Other Volvo Models

Compare MOT reliability across Volvo models.

Volvo V90 R-design T6 Recharge Awd A

80.8% pass rate

Volvo V60 Momentum + D3 Auto

86.8% pass rate

Volvo V60

82.5% pass rate

Volvo Xc60 Rdesign Pro B4 Mhev Awd A

92.4% pass rate

Volvo C30 1,6

91.8% pass rate

Volvo 850

92.4% pass rate

Useful MOT Guides

Common MOT Failures

The most common reasons UK vehicles fail their MOT — and how to prepare.

MOT Checklist

Pre-MOT checklist to improve your chances of passing first time.

Advisory vs Failure

Understanding the difference between MOT advisories and failures.

See detailed fault analysis for Volvo 700 Series

Volvo 700 Series — Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the Volvo 700 Series MOT and reliability.

What is the MOT pass rate for the Volvo 700 Series?

The average MOT pass rate for the Volvo 700 Series is 75.1% compared to the Volvo average of 87.7%. Pass rates vary by year — check the year-by-year breakdown on this page for details.

What are the most common MOT failures on a Volvo 700 Series?

The most common MOT failures on the Volvo 700 Series are: Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced (8.1%), 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 (5.3%), Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen (4.5%). These are the components most likely to cause an MOT failure.

Is the Volvo 700 Series reliable?

With an average MOT pass rate of 75.1%, the Volvo 700 Series is rated as "Good" for reliability. This is a strong result suggesting good build quality and fewer common defects.

How do I check the MOT history of a Volvo 700 Series?

Enter the vehicle's registration number in the search box at the top of this page. You will instantly see the complete MOT history including every test result, mileage readings, advisories, and dangerous defects — completely free.

What mileage should I expect on a Volvo 700 Series?

Typical mileage for the Volvo 700 Series: 131,654 miles at 5 years. Use these benchmarks when evaluating a used 700 Series to spot vehicles with unusually high or low mileage.

Check Your Volvo 700 Series's MOT History

Enter the registration number for the full MOT history — free and instant.