Does the Volvo 700 Series fail the MOT on body, chassis and structure more than it should?
The Volvo 700 Series records 13.83 body, chassis and structure failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 15.05 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−1.22, 95% interval −2.41 to −0.03). It ranks 405 of 663 models on body, chassis and structure (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on body, chassis and structure · check a Volvo 700 Series by registration
What exactly fails on body, chassis and structure?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Volvo 700 Series is “Exhaust system leaking or insecure”, recorded 197 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| Exhaust system leaking or insecure | 197 | 4.84 |
| Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced | 116 | 2.85 |
| Body, cab or chassis excessively corroded at a mounting point | 64 | 1.57 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 4,070 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
If a Volvo 700 Series gets a body, chassis and structure advisory, how often does it fail next time?
12.6% of Volvo 700 Series MOTs with a body, chassis and structure advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12 months and 140 miles later (554 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 554 (advisories followed) · Method: the same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
Volvo 700 Series by postcode area · Volvo 700 Series brakes failures · Volvo 700 Series vehicle identification failures · Volvo 700 Series lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Volvo 700 Series noise, emissions and leaks failures · Volvo 700 Series seat belts and airbags failures · Volvo 700 Series steering failures · Volvo 700 Series suspension failures · Volvo 700 Series tyres failures · Volvo 700 Series visibility failures