Executive car · 1997–2021 cars
Volvo S90 reliability
The Volvo S90 fails 11.7% of first MOT tests, 32% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 21,927 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Volvo S90 before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 11.7%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 32% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 21,927
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 10,800
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Volvo S90 ages
Each point is the share of Volvo S90s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Volvo S90 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 10.9% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 10.6% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 11.9% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 12.6% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 15.2% | 22.1% |
By year
The best and worst Volvo S90 years
2017 cars come out best and 2020 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 S90 | 1,630 | 11.1% | 17% fewer fails | 33,007 |
| 2019 S90 | 5,913 | 10.5% | 31% fewer fails | 40,286 |
| 2018 S90 | 8,543 | 11.3% | 35% fewer fails | 50,213 |
| 2017 S90 | 4,663 | 12.4% | 37% fewer fails | 57,505 |
| 2016 | 936 | 16.7% | 24% fewer fails | 64,320 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Volvo S90
Failures by area, against cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Tyres5.3%5% below avg
- Brakes3.6%6% above avg
- Lights and electrics1.2%75% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors1.1%67% below avg
- Suspension1%60% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure0.7%19% below avg
- Steering0.5%19% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks0.3%73% below avg
- Wheels0.2%37% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 2.6% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 2
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.43% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 3
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.39% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 4
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.01% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 5
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 0.56% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 6
Tyre bulge from structural failure 0.43% of tests
A bulge means the tyre's structure has failed and it could burst suddenly, so it must be replaced at once.
- 7
Coil spring fractured or broken 0.34% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 8
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 0.31% of tests
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Volvo S90's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit11.34%
- Brake pads wearing thin10.38%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking5.09%
- Brake disc pitted or scored2.08%
- Child seat limits belt inspection1.82%
- Brake discs showing some wear1.81%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Volvo S90
- 1
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 2
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 3
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 4
Tyre ply or cords exposed
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Volvo S90 covers about 10,800 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Diesel80.2%
- Petrol15.9%
- Hybrid3.9%
- LPG0%
Most common colours
Grey, Black, Blue, Silver, White
Average engine size: 2.0 litres.
Compare
How the Volvo S90 compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| BMW M5 | 11.4% | 64% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Lexus GS | 19.4% | 45% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| BMW M2 | 9.3% | 41% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volvo S90 | 11.7% | 32% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volvo S80 | 30.5% | 24% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Alfa Romeo Giulia | 13.3% | 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mercedes-Benz CLC | 42.8% | 7% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every executive car ranked in the executive car reliability index, or all Volvo models.
Questions
Volvo S90 questions, answered
Is the Volvo S90 reliable?
On MOT results, the Volvo S90 is better than average: it fails 11.7% of first MOT tests, 32% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 20 of 40 executive car models in our index.
What fails most on a Volvo S90 MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Volvo S90 are brake pads worn below 1.5mm (2.6% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.43% of tests), tyre cut reaching ply or cords (1.39% of tests). By area, tyres fails 5.3% of its tests.
Which Volvo S90 year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2017 cars do best (37% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2020 cars do worst (17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Volvo S90 do a year?
A typical Volvo S90 covers about 10,800 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Volvo S90 before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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