Used Volvo XC70 2007-2016 reliability
Category: Large SUV
The Volvo XC70 is a practical estate car with some off-road capability, thanks to a raised ride height and the option of four-wheel drive
What should I look for in a used Volvo XC70 estate?
Some of the later, facelifted XC70s were fitted with 18in diamond-cut alloy alloy wheels that can start to corrode if they have kerb damage that exposes the inner metal to road salt. These can be expensive to repair, so make sure you don't end up paying for damage caused by a previous owner.
Also, some XC70s were specified with some light-coloured interior carpeting and beige leather seats. If you like to wear jeans, the denim's dye can start to make these seats look grubby quite quickly, and if you live or work in a muddy environment, you might be better off looking for an XC70 with a black interior or investing in quality floor mats and some leather seat wipes.
What are the most common problems with a used Volvo XC70 estate?
Diesel engine
Volvo is presently in the process of recalling around 70,000 cars in the UK fitted with a 2.0-litre diesel engine, due to potential engine fires. There isn't a fix at the moment, so owners are being told to pay attention to any unusual smells coming into the interior, if the engine warning light illuminates, or if the engine hesitates under acceleration. Read our news story on this for further information or contact Volvo directly by phoning 01628 854 210.
Parking brake
On some XC70s built between 14 March 2012 and 30 January 2015 that have a manual gearbox and an engine start/stop system fitted, the parking brake might release without warning. This happens with the engine on and when the gearlever is moved, so it shouldn't occur when the car is left unattended. Any Volvo dealer will be able to let you know if your car is affected and apply the remedial software update if required.
Fuel gauge
A software update is currently being sought to correct an issue with the fuel gauge showing the wrong level on XC70s constructed between 24 April 2014 and 11 December 2015. The current advice if your car is affected is to keep the level above one-third to ensure you don't run out of fuel until a fix can be implemented.
Fuel hose
The fuel hose used in some models has been found to be crack from the inside, which could lead to a fuel leak if not fixed. This applies to XC70s built between 11 April 2015 and 30 March 2016, and a Volvo dealer will be able to tell you if your car is affected or not.
Power steering
A possible software issue on XC70s built between 21 November 2014 and 18 February 2016 could cause electrical problems and the power steering system to stop working. There have also been other issues with examples made between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2010 with the auxiliary drive belt that powers the power steering pump. It can fail and affect the power steering system, so check this with your local Volvo dealer if you think your car is affected by this.
Driver's airbag
The driver might not be fully protected in the event of a collision because of a faulty airbag on examples built between 2 May 2016 and 15 May 2016. Contact your local Volvo dealer to make sure your car has had the relevant remedial work carried out.
Is a used Volvo XC70 estate reliable?
For models five or more years old, Volvo as a brand finished in 20th place out of 28 manufacturers included in our latest Reliability Survey, which isn't a particularly great result.
If you'd like to see the full reliability list, head to the What Car? Reliability Survey pages for more information.
