Volvo XC90: what fails at MOT
108,000 MOT tests on the Volvo XC90 in 2024, counted. 23.5% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
23.5% of Volvo XC90 tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 25.3%, so the XC90 is about average for its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (6.3% of tests), brakes (6.3% of tests) and tyres (4.3% of tests). It fails on brakes 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 | 10,368 | 11.6% | 10.9% | 31,600 23,800 to 40,900 |
| 2020 | 7,950 | 10.7% | 11.5% | 38,800 28,600 to 49,500 |
| 2019 | 11,172 | 12.1% | 13.4% | 47,000 36,100 to 60,100 |
| 2018 | 9,842 | 13.3% | 15.6% | 58,800 46,000 to 72,800 |
| 2017 | 8,716 | 14.5% | 18.2% | 69,800 54,600 to 86,400 |
| 2016 | 8,799 | 17.7% | 21.3% | 81,300 63,400 to 100,900 |
| 2015 | 4,198 | 19.3% | 24.4% | 87,000 68,500 to 105,700 |
| 2014 | 3,088 | 26.9% | 27.7% | 94,600 76,900 to 116,300 |
| 2013 | 3,458 | 27.6% | 30.6% | 104,600 83,800 to 127,700 |
| 2012 | 4,077 | 29.6% | 33.4% | 111,200 90,200 to 134,600 |
| 2011 | 5,898 | 35.8% | 36.1% | 121,600 100,600 to 146,300 |
| 2010 | 8,210 | 37.0% | 38.6% | 129,700 107,700 to 153,100 |
| 2009 | 4,725 | 35.3% | 39.8% | 134,600 112,900 to 158,700 |
| 2008 | 2,256 | 37.1% | 41.5% | 141,700 117,500 to 164,400 |
| 2007 | 3,618 | 40.8% | 41.5% | 146,200 119,900 to 172,000 |
| 2006 | 3,640 | 42.0% | 42.4% | 151,000 128,100 to 172,800 |
| 2005 | 4,667 | 42.2% | 42.2% | 156,700 131,200 to 182,600 |
| 2004 | 3,183 | 43.0% | 42.3% | 160,900 133,600 to 187,400 |
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 XC90 tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | XC90 | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 6.3% | 6.9% |
| Brakes More than most | 6.3% | 4.2% |
| Tyres | 4.3% | 4.1% |
| Suspension Less than most | 3.1% | 5.4% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen Less than most | 1.7% | 2.9% |
| Steering | 1.5% | 1.2% |
| Body and structure Less than most | 1.2% | 2.1% |
| Exhaust and emissions Less than most | 0.7% | 2.0% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre3.1%
- Side light2.8%
- Headlamp aim1.9%
- Brake test1.8%
- Brake test1.8%
- Tyre tread1.5%
- Brake pads1.4%
- Ball joint1.2%
- Headlamp1.1%
- Track rod end1.0%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Side light: not working2.7%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.5%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.3%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.3%
- Brake test: efficiency below requirements1.1%
- Ball joint: excessively worn1.1%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed1.0%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn0.9%
- Brake test: efficiency below requirements0.9%
- Brake test: efficiency less than 50% of the required value0.9%
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 edge12.1%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement5.6%
- Brake pads: wearing thin5.4%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened5.3%
- Play in steering rack inner joint(s)3.2%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing3.0%
- Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt2.5%
- Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened2.4%
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
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
Check a Volvo XC90's own MOT record
Looking at a XC90? Type its registration to 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.