2005 Volvo XC90 · 12,468 MOT tests
2005 Volvo XC90 reliability
2005 Volvo XC90s fail 44.1% of first MOT tests, 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 17 of 19 XC90 years (12,468 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Volvo XC90s: 27.3%)
- 44.1%
- first-time fail rate (all Volvo XC90s: 27.3%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 4% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- 154,308
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 12,468
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2005 against the years either side
- 2004 cars: 3% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2005 car does better)
- 2006 cars: 6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2005 car does worse)
- Weak spot: brakes, 21.8% of tests fail here (39% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 73% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2005 car carries a 54 plate (January–February 2005), or a 05 plate (March–August 2005), or a 55 plate (September–December 2005).
Common problems
What fails on a 2005 Volvo XC90
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics26.5%
- Brakes21.8%
- Suspension17%
- Body, chassis and structure5.9%
- Tyres5.9%
- Steering5.8%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.9%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 8.5%
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 5.86%
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 4.81%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Parking brake efficiency under half required 4.36%
The parking brake is well below required strength and is unlikely to hold the car on a slope.
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 3.83%
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
ABS warning lamp shows a fault 3.75%
A lit ABS warning means the anti-lock system may not work, so wheels could lock during emergency braking.
Common advisories
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (18.87%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (18.16%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (11.77%) · Slight play in steering rack joints (10.83%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (8.84%) · Sub-frame showing corrosion (8.22%)
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 2005 Volvo XC90 reliable?
2005 Volvo XC90s fail 44.1% of first MOT tests, 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 17 of 19 XC90 years (12,468 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2005 Volvo XC90 MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (8.5% of tests), headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (5.86% of tests), suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn (4.81% of tests).
How many miles should a 2005 Volvo XC90 have done?
At its MOT aged about 18, a typical 2005 Volvo XC90 shows 154,308 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2005 car?
A car first registered in 2005 carries a 54 plate (January–February 2005), or a 05 plate (March–August 2005), or a 55 plate (September–December 2005).
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