Volvo V90: what fails at MOT
23,000 MOT tests on the Volvo V90 in 2024, counted. 14.2% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
14.2% of Volvo V90 tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 14.6%, so the V90 is about average for its age.
It fails most often on tyres (4.3% of tests), brakes (2.3% of tests) and lights and electrics (1.4% of tests). It fails on body and structure more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,827 | 10.7% | 10.9% | 32,800 23,800 to 44,500 |
| 2020 | 3,633 | 12.9% | 11.5% | 37,100 27,600 to 49,100 |
| 2019 | 6,667 | 14.3% | 13.4% | 46,900 35,300 to 60,900 |
| 2018 | 6,035 | 13.3% | 15.6% | 60,000 47,200 to 76,100 |
| 2017 | 4,322 | 17.0% | 18.2% | 73,600 55,400 to 94,300 |
| 2016 | 703 | 19.1% | 21.3% | 78,200 56,700 to 104,200 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Volvo V90 tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | V90 | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 4.3% | 3.3% | |
| Brakes | 2.3% | 1.9% | |
| Lights and electrics | 1.4% | 2.5% | Less than most |
| Body and structure | 1.2% | 0.4% | More than most |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 0.9% | 2.0% | Less than most |
| Suspension | 0.8% | 1.3% | |
| Steering | 0.3% | 0.3% | |
| Exhaust and emissions | 0.3% | 0.7% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre3.5%
- Brake pads2.0%
- Driveshaft joint1.1%
- Tyre tread1.0%
- Wipers0.6%
- Side light0.6%
- Coil spring0.4%
- Headlamp aim0.4%
- Track rod end0.3%
- Engine warning light0.3%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.9%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.6%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed1.2%
- Driveshaft joint: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.0%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.0%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively0.6%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken0.4%
- Tyre: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.4%
- Side light: with a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning0.3%
- Headlamp aim: too low0.3%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge11.3%
- Brake pads: wearing thin8.4%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing3.6%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened1.9%
- Tyre: has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.6%
- Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt1.5%
- Brake discs: worn, but not excessively1.3%
- Nail in tyre1.0%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Is there any corrosion underneath or around the sills and arches?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
Check a Volvo V90's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.