2003 Volvo XC90 · 3,165 MOT tests
2003 Volvo XC90 reliability
2003 Volvo XC90s fail 45.6% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 19 of 19 XC90 years (3,165 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Volvo XC90s: 27.3%)
- 45.6%
- first-time fail rate (all Volvo XC90s: 27.3%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 1% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- 151,016
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 3,165
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2003 against the years either side
- 2004 cars: 3% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does worse)
- Weak spot: brakes, 22.7% of tests fail here (40% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 56% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2003 car carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
Common problems
What fails on a 2003 Volvo XC90
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics28.2%
- Brakes22.7%
- Suspension17.4%
- Body, chassis and structure7.4%
- Tyres6.2%
- Steering5.9%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.3%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 9.13%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 5.43%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Parking brake efficiency under half required 4.27%
The parking brake is well below required strength and is unlikely to hold the car on a slope.
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 4.14%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Registration plate lamp not working 3.73%
A dark number plate lamp makes the plate hard to read at night, which is illegal and must be fixed.
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 3.7%
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
Common advisories
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (19.49%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (18.07%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (13.87%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (11.75%) · Slight play in steering rack joints (11.09%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (10.05%)
Other years
Every Volvo XC90 year
The full picture: Volvo XC90 reliability. Before you pay for any Volvo XC90, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2003 Volvo XC90 reliable?
2003 Volvo XC90s fail 45.6% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 19 of 19 XC90 years (3,165 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2003 Volvo XC90 MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (9.13% of tests), headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (5.43% of tests), parking brake efficiency under half required (4.27% of tests).
How many miles should a 2003 Volvo XC90 have done?
At its MOT aged about 19, a typical 2003 Volvo XC90 shows 151,016 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2003 car?
A car first registered in 2003 carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
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