Volvo XC90 common problems by mileage
What UK MOT testers flag on the Volvo XC90 at each age and mileage, compared with all cars.
In 68,392 UK MOT tests of the Volvo XC90 in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is decelerometer (sp) (efficiency below requirements): recorded on 4.6% of tests of 2008–2010 cars at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km), 46× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: track rod end (ball joint has slight play) (17×); track rod end (ball joint has excessive play) (9.8×); ball joint (ball joint has slight play) (8×). The most common reasons a Volvo XC90 fails its MOT are position lamp (not working); brake pads (less than 1.5 mm thick); headlamp aim (projected beam image is obviously incorrect).
Last updated: · Source: DVSA anonymised MOT data 2023
What stands out on the Volvo XC90
Parts that MOT testers flag clearly more often on the Volvo XC90 than on all cars of the same age at the same mileage (at least 1.5× the rate and 3% of tests).
| Issue | Type | First used | Mileage | Share of tests | All cars this age | Ratio | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Decelerometer (sp): efficiency below requirements | MOT fail | 2008–2010 | 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) | 4.6% | 0.1% | 46× | 1,949 |
| Track rod end: ball joint has slight play | Advisory | 2015–2017 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 5.2% | 0.3% | 17× | 3,830 |
| Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play | MOT fail | 2014–2016 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 3.9% | 0.4% | 9.8× | 2,085 |
| Ball joint: ball joint has slight play | Advisory | 2017–2019 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 4.8% | 0.6% | 8× | 3,376 |
| Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn | MOT fail | 2016–2018 | 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 4.5% | 1% | 4.5× | 795 |
| Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened | Advisory | 2002–2004 | 160k+ mi (257k+ km) | 13% | 3.8% | 3.3× | 1,655 |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | MOT fail | 2017–2019 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 3.9% | 1.4% | 2.8× | 6,205 |
| Flexible brake hoses: slightly deteriorated | Advisory | 2006–2008 | 160k+ mi (257k+ km) | 7.1% | 2.3% | 3.1× | 2,360 |
Volvo XC90 by mileage (2018–2020 cars)
The most-tested first-use years. For each mileage band: how many MOT tests, the most common item, and the item that stands out most against other cars.
| Mileage | Tests | Most common | Stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 1,862 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.3%) | Tyres (condition): has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5%, 2.9×) |
| 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 8,320 | Brake pads: wearing thin (13%) | Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick (3.3%, 2.4×) |
| 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 5,763 | Brake pads: wearing thin (15%) | Tyres (condition): has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords (3.5%, 2.1×) |
| 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 1,932 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (16%) | Ball joint: ball joint has slight play (3.7%, 7.4×) |
| 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 496 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (17%) | Ball joint: ball joint has slight play (4.2%, 6×) |
Volvo XC90 by first-use year
| First used | Tests | Biggest stand-out issue |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 868 | Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (3.3×) |
| 2004 | 2,704 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (3×) |
| 2005 | 3,576 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (3×) |
| 2006 | 2,843 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (2.9×) |
| 2007 | 2,836 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (3.2×) |
| 2008 | 1,745 | Decelerometer (sp): efficiency below requirements at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (41×) |
| 2009 | 3,492 | Decelerometer (sp): efficiency below requirements at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (46×) |
| 2010 | 6,118 | Decelerometer (sp): efficiency below requirements at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (37×) |
| 2011 | 4,326 | Decelerometer (sp): efficiency below requirements at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (39×) |
| 2012 | 2,974 | Decelerometer (sp): efficiency below requirements at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (43×) |
| 2013 | 2,425 | Decelerometer (sp): efficiency below requirements at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (41×) |
| 2014 | 2,317 | Ball joint: ball joint has slight play at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (3.5×) |
| 2015 | 2,729 | Track rod end: ball joint has slight play at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (18×) |
| 2016 | 5,228 | Track rod end: ball joint has slight play at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (17×) |
| 2017 | 5,506 | Track rod end: ball joint has slight play at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (14×) |
| 2018 | 6,294 | Ball joint: ball joint has slight play at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (9.6×) |
| 2019 | 7,265 | Ball joint: ball joint has slight play at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (7.4×) |
| 2020 | 4,998 | Ball joint: ball joint has slight play at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (7.8×) |
| 2021 | 117 | Tyres (condition): has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (2.6×) |
How these numbers are made
From the DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2023: every normal MOT test of a car in Great Britain, with its mileage and every advisory and failure item. For each first-use year (pooled with the years either side) and 20,000-mile band we count the share of tests where a part was recorded, and compare it with the same share for every car of that age at that mileage. A cell is shown only with 300 or more tests. Advisories are tester notes, not failures. Figures describe UK-market cars; engines and equipment can differ in other countries.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA anonymised MOT data, 2023).
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the Volvo XC90?
In 68,392 UK MOT tests of the Volvo XC90 in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is decelerometer (sp) (efficiency below requirements): recorded on 4.6% of tests of 2008–2010 cars at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km), 46× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: track rod end (ball joint has slight play) (17×); track rod end (ball joint has excessive play) (9.8×); ball joint (ball joint has slight play) (8×). The most common reasons a Volvo XC90 fails its MOT are position lamp (not working); brake pads (less than 1.5 mm thick); headlamp aim (projected beam image is obviously incorrect).
Why do Volvo XC90s fail the MOT?
Across 68,392 MOT tests in 2023, the most common failure items on the Volvo XC90 were position lamp (not working) (9.7% of tests); brake pads (less than 1.5 mm thick) (3.5% of tests); headlamp aim (projected beam image is obviously incorrect) (7% of tests).
At what mileage do Volvo XC90 problems start?
The clearest Volvo XC90-specific issue, decelerometer (sp) (efficiency below requirements), peaks against other cars at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) on 2008–2010 cars (4.6% of tests vs 0.1% for all cars that age).
Where does this Volvo XC90 data come from?
From the UK government's anonymised MOT test data (DVSA, 2023, Open Government Licence v3.0): 68,392 tests of the Volvo XC90. VinSnap shows the same numbers for your own car's age and mileage in the app.