1998 Volvo S70 2.4L Petrol · R503 XWL
1998 Volvo S70 (2.4L, petrol). First registered 01 Feb 1998. Recorded mileage 115,726 miles. MOT expired on 20 Jan 2015.
- Make & Model
- VOLVO S70
- Year / Origin
- 1998 · Reading
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 20 Jan 2015
- Road Tax
- Untaxed (01 Mar 2015)
- Recorded Mileage
- 115,726 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.
R503 XWL Key Findings
- 12 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 10/01/2014
- 115,726 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 3 historical MOT failures
- 4 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring lighting items (7 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
R503 XWL MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
12 MOT tests are recorded for this 1998 Volvo S70 (R503 XWL) between January 2006 and January 2014.
The record contains 9 passes and 3 failures.
The most recent test on 10 January 2014 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: Lighting (7 issues), Brakes (5 issues), Tyres (4 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 11 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: “Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)”; “Offside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)”; “Nearside Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of di”.
R503 XWL Mileage History
- 09/01/200672,611 mi
- 09/01/200779,194 mi+6,583 mi
- 09/01/200885,558 mi+6,364 mi
- 09/01/200885,558 mi
- 08/01/200990,484 mi+4,926 mi
- 08/01/200990,485 mi+1 mi
- 16/01/201094,791 mi+4,306 mi
- 17/01/201199,653 mi+4,862 mi
- 19/01/2012104,681 mi+5,028 mi
- 05/01/2013110,531 mi+5,850 mi
- 15/01/2013110,640 mi+109 mi
- 10/01/2014115,726 mi+5,086 mi
Average of roughly 5,387 miles per year across 12 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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