Does the Volvo XC70 fail the MOT on noise, emissions and leaks more than it should?
The Volvo XC70 records 0.96 noise, emissions and leaks failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 4.91 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−3.95, 95% interval −4.08 to −3.82). It ranks 641 of 678 models on noise, emissions and leaks (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on noise, emissions and leaks · check a Volvo XC70 by registration
What exactly fails on noise, emissions and leaks?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Volvo XC70 is “Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction”, recorded 429 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction | 429 | 0.38 |
| Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users | 143 | 0.13 |
| Smoke opacity levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limit | 134 | 0.12 |
| Emissions test unable to be completed | 129 | 0.11 |
| Smoke opacity levels exceed default limit | 48 | 0.04 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 112,839 (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 XC70 gets a noise, emissions and leaks advisory, how often does it fail next time?
2.6% of Volvo XC70 MOTs with a noise, emissions and leaks advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12 months and 5,825 miles later (3,182 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 3,182 (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 XC70 2002 · Volvo XC70 2003 · Volvo XC70 2004 · Volvo XC70 2005 · Volvo XC70 2006 · Volvo XC70 2007 · Volvo XC70 2008 · Volvo XC70 2009 · Volvo XC70 2010 · Volvo XC70 2011 · Volvo XC70 2012 · Volvo XC70 2013 · Volvo XC70 2014 · Volvo XC70 2015 · Volvo XC70 2016 · Volvo XC70 in Norway · Volvo XC70 in Finland · Volvo XC70 in the Netherlands · Volvo XC70 by postcode area · Volvo XC70 body, chassis and structure failures · Volvo XC70 brakes failures · Volvo XC70 vehicle identification failures · Volvo XC70 lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Volvo XC70 road wheels failures · Volvo XC70 seat belts and airbags failures · Volvo XC70 steering failures · Volvo XC70 suspension failures · Volvo XC70 tyres failures · Volvo XC70 visibility failures