Volvo XC90 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Volvo XC90 car check
Is the Volvo XC90 reliable? We analysed 1,122,947 real MOT tests across 82,375 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Volvo XC90? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Volvo XC90 is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include parking brake: efficiency below requirements, position lamp(s) not working and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Volvo XC90.
Volvo XC90 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Volvo XC90. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Volvo XC90 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Volvo XC90 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Volvo XC90 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Volvo XC90 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Volvo XC90 Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Volvo XC90 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Volvo XC90 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Volvo XC90 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Volvo XC90 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Volvo XC90 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 93 | 92.5% | 284 | 28,181 | 52,416 |
| 2020 | 2,511 | 87.6% | 27,118 | 39,044 | 53,879 |
| 2019 | 26,029 | 87.5% | 29,692 | 42,529 | 59,322 |
| 2018 | 39,085 | 87.6% | 33,270 | 48,325 | 67,194 |
| 2017 | 42,684 | 87.1% | 38,213 | 55,384 | 76,271 |
| 2016 | 46,035 | 84.8% | 42,200 | 61,369 | 84,441 |
| 2015 | 27,233 | 84.4% | 43,575 | 63,681 | 88,664 |
| 2014 | 27,042 | 80.2% | 47,820 | 70,949 | 97,491 |
| 2013 | 31,565 | 80.0% | 49,851 | 75,332 | 104,041 |
| 2012 | 43,209 | 79.2% | 52,886 | 79,964 | 109,968 |
| 2011 | 72,461 | 75.0% | 56,926 | 85,814 | 117,478 |
| 2010 | 114,873 | 74.3% | 59,140 | 89,706 | 121,338 |
| 2009 | 70,479 | 73.6% | 60,704 | 92,562 | 125,372 |
| 2008 | 41,160 | 73.0% | 64,914 | 97,953 | 132,152 |
| 2007 | 79,281 | 71.1% | 67,018 | 101,138 | 137,046 |
| 2006 | 98,461 | 70.7% | 67,204 | 101,477 | 136,098 |
| 2005 | 137,605 | 70.2% | 70,604 | 106,315 | 142,887 |
| 2004 | 142,697 | 69.5% | 70,793 | 105,624 | 142,165 |
| 2003 | 76,539 | 67.7% | 69,184 | 102,129 | 136,676 |
| 2002 | 139 | 62.6% | 82,567 | 113,223 | 151,865 |
How Long Does a Volvo XC90 Last?
Based on 82,375 Volvo XC90 vehicles on UK roads.
Volvo XC90 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Volvo XC90 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Volvo XC90
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
92.5% MOT pass rate from 93 tests
62.6% MOT pass rate from 139 tests
The best year to buy a used Volvo XC90 is 2021, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 92.5% across 93 tests. The 2002 model year has the lowest pass rate at 62.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Volvo XC90 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volvo XC90 THIS CAR | 74.6% | 1,122,947 | 87,449 mi | 23 yrs |
| Volvo V70 | 71% | 1,930,508 | 113,181 mi | 29 yrs |
| Volvo V40 | 73.7% | 1,865,374 | 76,415 mi | 30 yrs |
| Volvo S40 | 69.9% | 1,390,271 | 84,701 mi | 30 yrs |
| Mitsubishi L200 | 74.1% | 1,362,678 | 80,302 mi | 29 yrs |
Compared to the Volvo V70 (71.0% pass rate) and the Volvo V40 (73.7% pass rate), the Volvo XC90 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Volvo XC90 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Volvo XC90Should you buy a used Volvo XC90?
The Volvo XC90 has an overall MOT pass rate of 74.6% across 1,122,947 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Volvo XC90 are parking brake: efficiency below requirements (23,030 recorded failures), position lamp(s) not working (22,417), and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (21,465). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Volvo XC90 with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Volvo XC90 owner drives around 8,281 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Volvo XC90 models stay on UK roads for around 23 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.