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Volvo P38 vs Volvo V70: reliability comparison

MOT pass rates, common faults and mileage compared from real UK MOT data.

Volvo P38
73%
MOT pass rate · 1 vehicles
Volvo V70
71%
MOT pass rate · 117,477 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Volvo P38 (73%) and Volvo V70 (71%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Head to head

Measure Volvo P38 Volvo V70
MOT pass rate 73% ✓ 71%
MOT failure rate 27% ✓ 29%
Faults & advisories per test 0.6 ✓ 2.2
Dangerous-fault share 0% ✓ 1%
Average mileage 64,661 mi 159,644 mi
Sample size (vehicles) 1 117,477

Most common faults

Volvo P38

  1. Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)
  2. Central Prop shaft bearing has slight play U/J (6.1.7 (b) (i))
  3. Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))
  4. Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))
  5. Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)
  6. Nearside rear brake grabbing slightly (3.7.A.5b)

Volvo V70

  1. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  2. Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  3. Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  4. Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  5. Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)
  6. Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Reliability FAQ

On MOT pass rate the Volvo P38 (73%) and Volvo V70 (71%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Full Volvo P38 report Full Volvo V70 report Most reliable cars

Pass rates are computed over completed (pass/fail) MOT tests. Reliability also depends on age, mileage and upkeep — see each model's page for the full picture.