Volvo
700 Series
2,634 MOT tests analysed. lands in the middle of the pack — here's where 700 Seriess pass, fail, and end up on the retest sheet.
That's 6.1 points below the UK fleet average across our 1,984 tracked models — buyers should expect more first-time fails than the typical UK car.
Pass
71.4%
Pass-after-fix
5.4%
Fail
22.1%
Avg miles
134,221
Pass + Pass-after-fix + Fail = 100%
This model's production run straddles the January 2006 Euro 4 cutoff. Individual cars vary — check your registration plate on the government's ULEZ checker. Daily charges if driven in the zone: London £12.50 · Birmingham £8.00 .
The picture
700 Series: middle-of-the-pack on first-time pass
Across 1,170 MOT tests, the 700 Series returns 70.8% first-time pass — below the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a number-plate lamp out. The strength or continuity of the load bearing and windscreen damage round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 131,654, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
ABI Insurance Group
Group 22–44
Above average — worth comparing quotes before buying. Lower groups cost less to insure; UK fleet average is around Group 22.
Source: ABI Group Rating Panel · administered by Thatcham Research · groups cover standard variants; performance trims may sit higher. Browse all insurance groups →
22–44
out of 50
Top ten reasons for rejection.
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- 01
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
116 occurrences · 4.4% of tests
- 02
A battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier
114 occurrences · 4.3% of tests
- 03
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
111 occurrences · 4.2% of tests
- 04
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
84 occurrences · 3.2% of tests
- 05
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
83 occurrences · 3.2% of tests
- 06
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
67 occurrences · 2.5% of tests
- 07
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
66 occurrences · 2.5% of tests
- 08
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
56 occurrences · 2.1% of tests
- 09
An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
52 occurrences · 2.0% of tests
- 10
Exhaust system leaking or insecure
52 occurrences · 2.0% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
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Buying or keeping a 700 Series?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a 700 Series and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.