Large SUV · 2002–2021 cars

Volvo XC90 reliability

The Volvo XC90 fails 27.3% of first MOT tests, 12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 226,836 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

About averageReliability score 61/100#24 of 30 large suvs

Checking a Volvo XC90 before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 27.3%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 12% fewer; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 226,836; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 10,600; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The Volvo XC90 ranks 24 of 30 large SUV models, but it still does better than average for its age and mileage, with 12% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage. Its first-time fail rate is 27.3%, against 28.4% for all cars. A 2017 model did best of all, with 24% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage.

Brakes are the weak spot, with 37% more brake fails than comparable cars, so give them a close look. Before you buy, check for these common MOT failures: a position lamp not working (4.54% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.18%), brake pads below 1.5mm (1.87%) and parking brake efficiency below minimum (1.8%). Based on 226,836 MOT tests (DVSA data, 2022 to 2024).

MOT fail rate by age

How the Volvo XC90 ages

Each point is the share of Volvo XC90s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

Volvo XC90All cars

Volvo XC90 first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Volvo XC90	All cars
3	12.5%	12.3%
4	13.1%	14.1%
5	15%	16.4%
6	16.7%	19.1%
7	18.4%	22.1%
8	21.9%	25.5%
9	26.3%	28.8%
10	29.7%	31.8%
11	34%	34.6%
12	35.7%	37.3%
13	38.3%	39.5%
14	37.4%	41.1%
15	40.1%	42.3%
16	42.4%	42.9%
17	44.4%	43.4%
18	43.9%	43.5%
19	44.7%	43.4%
20	41.1%	42.8%
21	46.4%	41.4%

By year

The best and worst Volvo XC90 years

2017 cars come out best and 2003 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Volvo XC90 MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2021 XC90	2,715	12.4%	7% fewer fails	33,735
2020 XC90	9,141	10.9%	23% fewer fails	37,790
2019 XC90	20,449	12.9%	15% fewer fails	41,402
2018 XC90	22,515	13.6%	20% fewer fails	49,252
2017 XC90	19,781	15.4%	24% fewer fails	60,527
2016 XC90	19,295	18.8%	20% fewer fails	71,973
2015 XC90	9,657	20.2%	23% fewer fails	78,656
2014 XC90	7,707	26.8%	11% fewer fails	88,125
2013 XC90	8,296	27.5%	17% fewer fails	96,362
2012 XC90	10,069	30.1%	17% fewer fails	104,177
2011 XC90	14,622	35.6%	9% fewer fails	115,314
2010 XC90	20,614	37.3%	10% fewer fails	122,931
2009 XC90	11,805	37.5%	13% fewer fails	128,928
2008 XC90	5,872	38.8%	12% fewer fails	137,050
2007 XC90	9,571	42%	7% fewer fails	143,857
2006 XC90	9,829	42.8%	6% fewer fails	147,728
2005 XC90	12,468	44.1%	4% fewer fails	154,308
2004 XC90	9,263	44.9%	3% fewer fails	158,321
2003 XC90	3,165	45.6%	1% fewer fails	151,016

Common problems

What fails most on a Volvo XC90

Its weak spot is brakes: 37% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Lights and electrics11.8%10% below avg
Brakes11.1%37% above avg
Tyres6.3%11% below avg
Suspension5.5%48% below avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3.1%39% below avg
Steering2.5%7% above avg
Body, chassis and structure2.1%52% below avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks1%72% below avg
Seat belts and airbags0.8%40% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Position lamp not working 4.54% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
2
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.18% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
3
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.87% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
4
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 1.8% of tests
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
5
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.57% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
6
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 1.42% of tests
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
7
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 1.4% of tests
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
8
Parking brake efficiency under half required 1.4% of tests
The parking brake is well below required strength and is unlikely to hold the car on a slope.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Volvo XC90's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit14.62%
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear8.23%
Brake disc pitted or scored7.8%
Brake pads wearing thin7.01%
Slight play in steering rack joints4.76%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking3.83%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Volvo XC90

1
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
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
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.
4
Parking brake efficiency below minimum
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
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 XC90 covers about 10,600 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

Diesel80.3%
Hybrid11.8%
Petrol7.3%
Other0.5%
LPG0%
Electric0%

Most common colours

Black, Grey, Silver, Blue, White

Average engine size: 2.2 litres.

Compare

How the Volvo XC90 compares with its rivals

Volvo XC90 against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Audi Q7	16.8%	41% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Land Rover Range Rover	19.4%	39% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
BMW X5	19.9%	36% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Mercedes-Benz M-Class	27%	29% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Volkswagen Touareg	22.5%	26% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Land Rover Defender	28.8%	15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Volvo XC90	27.3%	12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age

Every large suv ranked in the large suv reliability index, or all Volvo models.

Questions

Volvo XC90 questions, answered

Is the Volvo XC90 reliable?

On MOT results, the Volvo XC90 is about average: it fails 27.3% of first MOT tests, 12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 24 of 30 large suv models in our index.

What fails most on a Volvo XC90 MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Volvo XC90 are position lamp not working (4.54% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.18% of tests), brake pads worn below 1.5mm (1.87% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 11.8% of its tests.

Which Volvo XC90 year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2017 cars do best (24% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2003 cars do worst (about average for its age).

How many miles does a Volvo XC90 do a year?

A typical Volvo XC90 covers about 10,600 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 XC90 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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