IsItAGoodCar
Reliability Guide

Common Problems with the
2007 Volvo V70 (Gen 3)

Debuted February 2007 on the P3 platform, sharing mechanicals and general styling with the S80; increased rear legroom and a bigger load bay than the outgoing V70 II. Sold in the UK until late 2016 across D2, D3, D4, D5 and T5 variants.

What changed for 2007

  • •2007: third generation introduced, sold alongside the P2 V70 as the budget choice
  • •2010-12: DRIVe and D2 1.6D added for low-CO2 fleet buyers
  • •2013: facelift with wider grille, LED tail lamps and revised bumpers

Common MOT watch-outs

  • !Diesel fuel-dilution recalls affecting idle and run-on behaviour
  • !Wiper arm chafing the brake booster vacuum line (2012 recall)
  • !Sunroof drain failures flooding the cabin
2
Known Issues
1
Serious
1
Moderate
0
Minor

All Known Issues

D5 fuel dilution recalls - rising oil, held idle, engine run-on

SeriousEngine

DVSA’s V70 recall lists for 2008-2010 cars record that the engine oil level may rise and that the engine speed can be maintained or increased after the throttle is released, with the engine in extreme cases continuing to run after switch-off - the five-cylinder diesel dilution story repeated across the P2/P3 Volvos. Auto Express notes the V70 was recalled on a number of occasions over its life. On the buyer side: check the dipstick before the drive, confirm the recall remedies are discharged, and avoid school-run-only histories.

Est. Repair Cost: £150-£1,500
Warning Signs:

Oil level creeping above maximum between changes, Idle that will not drop or engine running on after key-off, Fuel smell from the sump

What to Inspect:
  • Cold dipstick check of level and smell
  • DVSA recall check printed for this exact registration
  • Ask what the short-trip proportion of its life was
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research TeamUpdated
Official Recalls & Reference Documents:

Sunroof drain elbows flooding footwells

ModerateBodywork & Rust

The Owners' Club has V70 threads of post-rain sloshing and rear footwells that fill like a well, and FnF’s Volvo drain guide explains the mechanical cause across the S80/V70/XC70 generation: front drains run through a 90-degree elbow behind the front wheels that clogs or whose tube slips off, and the rear drains discharge into the trunk area. Water in the sill soaks connectors and amplifiers, so the true cost of a blocked drain is measured in electrics, not carpet. Test all four drains before signing.

Est. Repair Cost: £80-£1,000
Warning Signs:

Damp carpet at the sills after rain, Water in the spare-wheel well, Intermittent electrical oddities after wet weather

What to Inspect:
  • Water-test each sunroof corner drain and confirm discharge under each wheel
  • Lift the rear carpet and check for staining along the sill
  • Ask whether the drain elbows have been renewed, not just cleared
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research TeamUpdated

Buying Tips for 2007 Volvo V70 (Gen 3)

  • The D5 twin-turbo cars are the strongest but demand proper oil discipline.
  • Check the SRS wiring harness anchor recalls on 2011-13 cars before buying.
2008–2009
Check a 2007 Volvo V70 (Gen 3) by Registration