IsItAGoodCar
Reliability Guide

Common Problems with the
2009 Volvo V70 (Gen 3)

We've identified 2 known issues that can affect the 2009 Volvo V70 (Gen 3). 1 of these are serious faults that could be expensive to repair.

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 2009 Volvo V70 (Gen 3)

  • Run the plate through the DVSA recall service - D5-era fuel dilution, fuel pipe and brake-assistance recalls are specific to model years of this car.
  • Check idle behaviour and the oil level on diesel examples; the fuel-dilution and engine-running-on theme is the known weak point of these five-cylinder diesels.
  • With a sunroof fitted, water-test the drains behind the front wheels - FnF guide calls the dislodged 90-degree elbow a known failure, and the result is a soaked footwell and corroded wiring.
  • If it tows or carries loads, the rear self-levelling dampers must be original-spec and working; worn Nivomats wreck MOT braking and ride tests.
  • Prefer 2013-on cars with the refreshed front end, LED tail lamps and lower-CO2 D2/D3 engines, which are the best-rounded of the used market.
Check a 2009 Volvo V70 (Gen 3) by Registration