Is the Volvo XC90 reliable?

On MOT evidence the Volvo XC90 is above average. It passes 77.6% of tests once age and mileage are accounted for, against a national average of 72.3%, which ranks it 78 of 262 models with enough data for a fair comparison. This measures how often the car meets the MOT standard, not how often it breaks down or what a repair costs.

What do testers most often warn about on a Volvo XC90?

The most common advisory is "Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements", noted on 25.9% of all Volvo XC90 tests. An advisory is not a failure: it flags something that will likely need attention before the next test.

What mileage does a Volvo XC90 usually have at its MOT?

The average odometer reading recorded at test is 92,404 miles. This is the mileage across all tested examples of every age, not an annual figure, so treat it as a description of the fleet rather than a target for one car.

Which Volvo XC90 years are the most reliable?

Going by MOT pass rate, Volvo XC90 cars first registered 2020–2022 do best at 87.1%, and those registered 2010 and earlier do worst at 59.7%. But that ordering is mostly age, not build year: almost every model passes less often as it wears, so the newest cars top this list whatever they are. A specific year looking strong here means little on its own; the failure items above, and the individual car's own MOT history, tell you far more.

Does a Volvo XC90 get harder to pass as it ages?

Yes. At 3 to 5 years old, 87.1% of Volvo XC90 tests pass. By fifteen years or more, that falls to 59.7%. Nearly every model follows this pattern, which is why comparing raw pass rates between models is misleading unless age is accounted for.

Are most Volvo XC90 models petrol or diesel?

Of the Volvo XC90 cars tested, 64% are diesel, 20% are hybrid, 9% are diesel hybrid. Fuel type affects which items tend to fail, particularly emissions and exhaust components.

Model reliability file

Volvo XC90 MOT pass rate & common failures

From 74,787 recorded MOT tests of the Volvo XC90, published by DVSA.

Data updated 29 July 2026

Quick answer

The Volvo XC90 passes 77.6% of MOT tests once results are adjusted for the age and mileage of the cars tested, against a national average of 72.3%. That is above average, ranking it 78 of 262 models with enough data to compare fairly. Based on 74,787 tests. Its most commonly recorded failure is lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, which appears in 15.5% of failed tests. Cars of this model average 92,404 miles on the odometer when tested.

At a glance

Pass rate, adjusted for age and mileage

77.6%national average72.3%unadjusted76.1%range covered98%rank78 of 262

The XC90 is 5.3 percentage points above the national pass rate once age and mileage are accounted for, which is above average. The unadjusted figure is 76.1%; the difference is what the age and mileage of this model’s fleet was hiding.

DVSA recorded wording

Most common failure items

Share of failed Volvo XC90 tests in which each item was recorded. One failed test often lists several items, so these do not sum to 100%.

1.A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning15.5%
2,336 occurrencesLamp not working explained
2.A tyre seriously damaged14.5%
2,175 occurrencesTyre damaged or deteriorated explained
3.Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements13.2%
1,984 occurrencesTyre worn close to the legal limit explained
4.A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm10.9%
1,642 occurrencesBrake drum or shoe worn or contaminated explained
5.A tyre cords visible or damaged10.1%
1,521 occurrencesTyre ply or cord exposed, or the casing separating explained
6.A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn10.0%
1,499 occurrencesSuspension arm bush worn explained
7.A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn9.0%
1,350 occurrencesSuspension arm bush worn explained
8.Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement7.5%
1,122 occurrencesParking brake efficiency too low explained
9.Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement6.6%
994 occurrencesParking brake efficiency too low explained
10.The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements6.6%
991 occurrencesHeadlamp aim incorrect explained

Warnings without a failure

Most common advisories

Share of all Volvo XC90 tests carrying each advisory. The denominator differs from the failure list above because an advisory can be issued on a car that passed.

1.Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements25.9%
19,335 testsTyre worn close to the legal limit explained
2.A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn13.6%
10,162 testsSuspension arm bush worn explained
3.Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured11.2%
8,343 testsBrake disc worn, pitted or scored explained
4.A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm11.0%
8,254 testsBrake drum or shoe worn or contaminated explained
5.A tyre seriously damaged7.1%
5,278 testsTyre damaged or deteriorated explained
6.A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn6.1%
4,574 testsSuspension arm bush worn explained
7.Play in steering rack inner joint(s)6.0%
4,470 tests
8.Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt4.9%
3,652 tests

The rest of the record

Everything else recorded on the Volvo XC90

The 20 other defects testers recorded on this model, beyond the most common listed above. Each links to what it means and what it takes to put right.

Known faults

Volvo XC90 common problems, by part and by year

The same failure record read the way a buyer asks the question: which parts wear out on a XC90, when they start, and how each registration year compares — including the steps that mark a generation change.

XC90 common problems and results by year

How wear changes the picture

XC90 pass rate by age and registration year

How often the Volvo XC90 passes at each age, with the years those cars were first registered. Tests are from 2025, so a car aged 3 to 5 was first used in 2020–2022.

3–5 yrsreg. 2020–202287%

6–8 yrsreg. 2017–201985%

9–11 yrsreg. 2014–201678%

12–14 yrsreg. 2011–201368%

15+ yrsreg. 2010 and earlier60%

Read this as an age curve rather than a verdict on particular model years. Nearly every car passes less often as it gets older, so a newer XC90 outscoring an older one says more about wear than about how that year’s cars were built. Bands holding too few tests to be meaningful are omitted rather than shown as a rate.

What gets tested

The XC90 fleet

Average mileage recorded at test: 92,404
Fuel mix of tested cars: Diesel63.7%
Hybrid20.5%
Diesel hybrid9.2%
Petrol6.7%

Trim names grouped into this model (40)

Recorded exactly as DVSA holds them. Trim-level names are rolled up so one model is not split across a dozen thin pages.

XC90 + B5 MHEV AWD AUTO
XC90 + T8 PHEV AWD AUTO
XC90 + T8 RECHARGE AWD AUTO
XC90 B5 AWD AUTO
XC90 B5 MHEV AWD AUTO
XC90 B6 MHEV AWD AUTO
XC90 CORE B5 MHEV AWD AUTO
XC90 CORE B6 MHEV AWD AUTO
XC90 CORE T8 PHEV AWD AUTO
XC90 CORE T8 RECHARGE AWD AUTO
XC90 INSCRIPT PRO T8 PHEV A A
XC90 INSCRIPTION B5 AWD AUTO
XC90 INSCRIPTION B5 MHEV AWD A
XC90 INSCRIPTION B6 MHEV AWD A
XC90 INSCRIPTION PRO B5 AWD A
XC90 INSCRIPTION PRO T6 AWD A
XC90 INSCRIPTION T6 AWD AUTO
XC90 INSCRIPTION T8 PHEV AWD A
XC90 INSCRP EXP T8RCHRGE AWD A
XC90 INSCRP PRO T8RCHRGE AWD A
XC90 INSCRPT PRO B5 MHEV AWD A
XC90 INSCRPT PRO B6 MHEV AWD A
XC90 INSCRPT T8 RCHARGE AWD A
XC90 MOMENTUM B5 AWD AUTO
XC90 MOMENTUM B5 MHEV AWD AUTO
XC90 MOMENTUM PRO B5 AWD AUTO
XC90 MOMENTUM PRO B5MHEV AWD A
XC90 MOMENTUM T8 RCHRG AWD A
XC90 R-DESIGN B5 AWD AUTO
XC90 R-DESIGN B5 MHEV AWD AUTO
XC90 R-DESIGN B6 MHEV AWD AUTO
XC90 R-DESIGN PRO B5 AWD AUTO
XC90 R-DESIGN PRO B6MHEV AWD A
XC90 R-DESIGN PRO T6 AWD AUTO
XC90 R-DESIGN T8 RCHARGE AWD A
XC90 RDESGN PRO T8 RCHRG AWD A
XC90 RDESIGN PRO B5 MHEV AWD A
XC90 T6 AWD
XC90 T8 AWD
XC90 T8 AWD HYBRID

Check a specific Volvo XC90

A model average tells you the pattern. Its own MOT record tells you the car.

Compare within the range

Other Volvo models

Volvo XC60 — 79.1% adjusted
Volvo V40 — 67.4% adjusted
Volvo XC40 — 90.0% unadjusted
Volvo V60 — 78.3% adjusted
Volvo V70 — 63.8% unadjusted
Volvo V50 — 55.2% unadjusted
All Volvo models

Similar test volumes

Compare against other makes

Skoda Yeti — 72.3% adjusted, ranked 143
Toyota Hilux — 71.2% adjusted, ranked 158
Mitsubishi Outlander — 73.8% adjusted, ranked 124
Mercedes-Benz CLA — 78.6% adjusted, ranked 67

Common questions

Is the Volvo XC90 reliable?: On MOT evidence the Volvo XC90 is above average. It passes 77.6% of tests once age and mileage are accounted for, against a national average of 72.3%, which ranks it 78 of 262 models with enough data for a fair comparison. This measures how often the car meets the MOT standard, not how often it breaks down or what a repair costs.
What is the most common MOT failure on a Volvo XC90?: The item recorded most often is "A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning", which appears in 15.5% of failed Volvo XC90 tests. Because one failed test can list several items, these shares do not add up to 100%.
What do testers most often warn about on a Volvo XC90?: The most common advisory is "Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements", noted on 25.9% of all Volvo XC90 tests. An advisory is not a failure: it flags something that will likely need attention before the next test.
What mileage does a Volvo XC90 usually have at its MOT?: The average odometer reading recorded at test is 92,404 miles. This is the mileage across all tested examples of every age, not an annual figure, so treat it as a description of the fleet rather than a target for one car.
Which Volvo XC90 years are the most reliable?: Going by MOT pass rate, Volvo XC90 cars first registered 2020–2022 do best at 87.1%, and those registered 2010 and earlier do worst at 59.7%. But that ordering is mostly age, not build year: almost every model passes less often as it wears, so the newest cars top this list whatever they are. A specific year looking strong here means little on its own; the failure items above, and the individual car's own MOT history, tell you far more.
Does a Volvo XC90 get harder to pass as it ages?: Yes. At 3 to 5 years old, 87.1% of Volvo XC90 tests pass. By fifteen years or more, that falls to 59.7%. Nearly every model follows this pattern, which is why comparing raw pass rates between models is misleading unless age is accounted for.
Are most Volvo XC90 models petrol or diesel?: Of the Volvo XC90 cars tested, 64% are diesel, 20% are hybrid, 9% are diesel hybrid. Fuel type affects which items tend to fail, particularly emissions and exhaust components.

How this was worked out

Method and limits

Figures come from the DVSA anonymised MOT testing dataset, published under the Open Government Licence. Only class 4 initial tests are counted: retests are excluded so a car appears once, and abandoned tests are excluded entirely. The adjusted rate is directly standardised across twenty-five age and mileage bands and reweighted onto the national distribution, so this model is compared against cars that have lived a similar life rather than against a younger or lighter-used fleet.

An MOT measures whether a car met a legal standard on the day. It is not a breakdown record, a service history or a running-cost estimate, and a pass rate is a property of a fleet rather than a prediction about one car.