In 2025, 55,232 Volvo XC90 cars had a regular MOT in Great Britain. 72% passed first time, compared with 69% for all cars of the same ages, which makes the XC90 about average. Adjusted for age, it ranks 85 of the 217 most-tested car models.
That comparison matters: older cars fail more often, so a raw pass rate flatters models that are mostly young. We compare each model against every car on the road at the same age.
Pass rate by age
At 5 years old, 84% of XC90s passed first time (all cars that age: 86%). By 20 years, that figure is 56% (all cars: 58%). It beats the average car at every age with enough data, from 7 to 16 years.
Volvo XC90 All cars of that age
| Age | Tests | XC90 passed first time | All cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 years | 627 | 84% | 86% | 51,112 |
| 6 years | 4,969 | 86% | 84% | 59,427 |
| 7 years | 6,226 | 85% | 81% | 70,641 |
| 8 years | 5,486 | 83% | 78% | 81,426 |
| 9 years | 5,214 | 80% | 75% | 91,371 |
| 10 years | 2,705 | 80% | 72% | 97,824 |
| 11 years | 2,262 | 69% | 69% | 107,869 |
| 12 years | 2,390 | 71% | 66% | 113,622 |
| 13 years | 2,850 | 70% | 63% | 121,980 |
| 14 years | 4,090 | 64% | 61% | 130,592 |
| 15 years | 5,538 | 63% | 59% | 135,664 |
| 16 years | 3,013 | 62% | 58% | 140,088 |
| 17 years | 1,384 | 58% | 57% | 145,662 |
| 18 years | 2,082 | 58% | 57% | 150,545 |
| 19 years | 1,931 | 58% | 57% | 151,037 |
| 20 years | 2,361 | 56% | 58% | 159,362 |
What fails most on a Volvo XC90
The area that lets the XC90 down most, relative to other cars, is brakes: 15.9% of tests failed on it, 1.6 times the rate for the average car. It does comparatively well on emissions and leaks and body and structure.
Share of XC90 tests failing on this area Average car
The six most common failure items
| Failure item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | Lights and electrics | 6.4% |
| A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | Suspension | 5.8% |
| The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | Lights and electrics | 4.4% |
| Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | Brakes | 3.9% |
| Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | Tyres | 3.2% |
| A tyre seriously damaged | Tyres | 3.1% |
What to check when buying a used XC90
Based on where the XC90 fails more often than other cars, these are the checks worth making before you buy:
- Brakes: Look through the wheels for lipped or scored discs, check the handbrake holds on a slope, and feel for pulling or vibration under firm braking. Repair guide
- Steering: Feel for play or knocking through the wheel, and check power-steering fluid isn’t leaking. More
- Lights and electrics: Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, number-plate and fog lights. Bulbs are cheap, but a seller who hasn’t noticed one out may have missed more. Repair guide
Then check the individual car: its own MOT history will show whether it follows the pattern. A car with repeated advisories in the same weak area is more likely to fail its next test.
Check a specific XC90
Enter the registration to see its full MOT history, mileage record and reliability score, compared with these figures.
Check a XC90Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for a Volvo XC90?
In 2025, 72% of Volvo XC90 cars passed their MOT first time, across 55,232 tests. Cars of the same ages averaged 69%.
What do Volvo XC90 cars most often fail their MOT on?
The most common failure items were: a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning (6.4% of tests); a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn (5.8% of tests); the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements (4.4% of tests).
Other Volvo models
Volvo V40 (72%), Volvo XC60 (77%), Volvo XC40 (89%), Volvo V70 (64%), Volvo V60 (75%), Volvo V50 (55%). All Volvo models
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2025 (class 4 normal tests; first-time pass means passed with no faults fixed at the test). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.