2004 Volvo XC90 · 9,263 MOT tests
2004 Volvo XC90 reliability
2004 Volvo XC90s fail 44.9% of first MOT tests, 3% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 18 of 19 XC90 years (9,263 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Volvo XC90s: 27.3%)
- 44.9%
- first-time fail rate (all Volvo XC90s: 27.3%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 3% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- 158,321
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 9,263
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2004 against the years either side
- 2003 cars: about average for its age (the 2004 car does better)
- 2005 cars: 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2004 car does worse)
- Weak spot: brakes, 21.7% of tests fail here (33% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 71% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2004 car carries a 53 plate (January–February 2004), or a 04 plate (March–August 2004), or a 54 plate (September–December 2004).
Common problems
What fails on a 2004 Volvo XC90
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics26.6%
- Brakes21.7%
- Suspension17.4%
- Steering6.6%
- Tyres6.3%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.4%
- Body, chassis and structure5.2%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 8.58%
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 5.78%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 4.91%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Parking brake efficiency under half required 4.34%
The parking brake is well below required strength and is unlikely to hold the car on a slope.
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 3.92%
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 3.74%
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
Common advisories
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (19.7%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (18.35%) · Slight play in steering rack joints (13.45%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (12.51%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (11.83%) · Sub-frame showing corrosion (9.61%)
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 2004 Volvo XC90 reliable?
2004 Volvo XC90s fail 44.9% of first MOT tests, 3% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 18 of 19 XC90 years (9,263 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2004 Volvo XC90 MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (8.58% of tests), headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (5.78% of tests), suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn (4.91% of tests).
How many miles should a 2004 Volvo XC90 have done?
At its MOT aged about 18, a typical 2004 Volvo XC90 shows 158,321 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2004 car?
A car first registered in 2004 carries a 53 plate (January–February 2004), or a 04 plate (March–August 2004), or a 54 plate (September–December 2004).
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