1998 Volvo S70 2.4L Petrol · R381 YBW
1998 Volvo S70 (2.4L, petrol). First registered 01 Jan 1998. Recorded mileage 101,456 miles. MOT expired on 05 Jan 2017.
- Make & Model
- VOLVO S70
- Year / Origin
- 1998 · Reading
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 05 Jan 2017
- Road Tax
- Untaxed (30 Sept 2016)
- Recorded Mileage
- 101,456 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- PETROL · 2.4L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Thinking of buying this vehicle? Free MOT and tax checks do not cover legal ownership. If outstanding finance exists, finance companies have legal right to repossess without compensation.
R381 YBW Key Findings
- 14 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 17/12/2015
- 101,456 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 3 historical MOT failures
- 7 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring brakes items (10 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
R381 YBW MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
14 MOT tests are recorded for this 1998 Volvo S70 (R381 YBW) between December 2005 and December 2015.
The record contains 11 passes and 3 failures.
The most recent test on 17 December 2015 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 3 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (10 issues), Tyres (7 issues), Lighting (5 issues), Bodywork (2 issues), Steering (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 21 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.
Recorded failure items include: “Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)”; “Nearside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of”; “Offside Front Upper Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents t”.
R381 YBW Mileage History
- 19/12/200560,511 mi
- 18/12/200663,670 mi+3,159 mi
- 18/12/200663,670 mi
- 18/12/200765,971 mi+2,301 mi
- 05/12/200867,481 mi+1,510 mi
- 21/12/200973,637 mi+6,156 mi
- 22/12/201077,907 mi+4,270 mi
- 19/12/201181,989 mi+4,082 mi
- 20/12/201286,865 mi+4,876 mi
- 17/12/201391,865 mi+5,000 mi
- 17/12/201391,865 mi
- 06/01/201596,644 mi+4,779 mi
- 06/01/201596,644 mi
- 17/12/2015101,456 mi+4,812 mi
Average of roughly 4,097 miles per year across 14 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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Known faults for Volvo Volvo S70
Our database tracks 2 specific mechanical faults and recurring failure patterns identified across UK MOT testing stations for this generation.
MOT Roadworthiness: Below Average
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
Common Problems: VOLVO S70
Known issues reported by owners and MOT testers.
- P80-platform sill and rear-corner corrosion(Serious)
Owners replacing sills on P80 cars (850, S70 and first-generation V70) describe right-hand sills that have simply disappeared behind the trim, with rust hiding in the box sections and chassis legs. The Volvo Owners' Club rust guide lists sill drain holes blocking and rot creeping forward to the front wing joint - the same failure pattern seen repeatedly on S70s at inspections. Structural corrosion in these areas is an MOT failure, and proper welding repairs run into four figures.
- Ignition system faults - misfire, poor hot starting, no spark(Moderate)
The S70 uses the same five-cylinder modular ignition as the late 850, and Volvo Owners' Club threads show owners chasing random misfires through cap, rotor, leads and finally the coil itself when a partial failure keeps the car running rough at low revs. The club’s ignition troubleshooting guide covers distributor shaft wear, amplifier (power stage) failure and Hall-sensor faults - all on this car - that leave you stranded after a hot soak. A methodical check with a spark tester sorts it for £150-£400 in most cases.
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VOLVO S70 Model Intelligence & Reliability
Verified MOT failure trends, buying advice, and technical directory specifications.
Owner-reported defects, recurring MOT failure points, and estimated repair costs.
Browse production generations, registration statistics, and trim variants.
Historical MOT pass rates and DVLA records for 1998 model year cars.
- P80-platform sill and rear-corner corrosionSerious
Owners replacing sills on P80 cars (850, S70 and first-generation V70) describe right-hand sills that have simply disappeared behind the trim, with rust hiding in the box sections and chassis legs. The Volvo Owners' Club rust guide lists sill drain holes blocking and rot creeping forward to the front wing joint - the same failure pattern seen repeatedly on S70s at inspections. Structural corrosion in these areas is an MOT failure, and proper welding repairs run into four figures.
- Ignition system faults - misfire, poor hot starting, no sparkModerate
The S70 uses the same five-cylinder modular ignition as the late 850, and Volvo Owners' Club threads show owners chasing random misfires through cap, rotor, leads and finally the coil itself when a partial failure keeps the car running rough at low revs. The club’s ignition troubleshooting guide covers distributor shaft wear, amplifier (power stage) failure and Hall-sensor faults - all on this car - that leave you stranded after a hot soak. A methodical check with a spark tester sorts it for £150-£400 in most cases.
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