VOLVO XC90 Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 5,313 MOT tests from 468 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®. The figures below describe that VehicleScore® sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are not a claim that every VOLVO XC90 has the same fault.

VOLVO XC90's have a slightly over average reliability rating of 594/999. The score was calculated from the average of every VOLVO XC90 that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the VOLVO XC90.

VOLVO XC90 (example)

Check the reliability of your Volvo XC90

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
Hybrid Electric	2019	805/999Excellent	71,262 miles	694 vehicles
Diesel	2018	745/999Very good	76,098 miles	3,160 vehicles
Hybrid Electric	2016	773/999Very good	75,111 miles	1,065 vehicles
Diesel	2015	699/999Good	77,652 miles	2,637 vehicles
Diesel	2014	572/999Above average	82,510 miles	2,235 vehicles
Diesel	2012	491/999Average	75,858 miles	3,374 vehicles
Diesel	2011	459/999Average	76,224 miles	3,215 vehicles
Diesel	2009	442/999Average	77,591 miles	2,587 vehicles
Diesel	2003	363/999Fair	82,271 miles	2,386 vehicles

How reliable is the VOLVO XC90?

Based on 5,313 MOT tests from 468 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®.

Vehicles

468

MOT tests

5,313

Pass rate

76.6%

Median mileage

114,348 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every VOLVO XC90 has the same fault. The median VehicleScore® in this sample is 641 out of 999.

Common VOLVO XC90 MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 871 advisory comments and 102 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 340 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a parking brake that did not hold well enough or had a component defect.

What to inspect

Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Example MOT wording: PARKING BRAKE EFFICIENCY BELOW REQUIREMENTS (1.4.2 (A) (I))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 168 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT POSITION LAMP NOT WORKING (4.2.1 (A) (II))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 151 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Suspension arm issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 145 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a worn, corroded, or damaged suspension arm or its pin.

What to inspect

Look for play or corrosion at the arm and ask whether it has been replaced.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT SUSPENSION ARM PIN OR BUSH WORN BUT NOT RESULTING IN EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT (5.3.4 (A) (I))

Corrosion

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 109 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: REAR SUB-FRAME CORRODED BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (5.3.3 (B) (I))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 71 advisory comments and 20 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Oil leak

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 88 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

VOLVO XC90 MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore® has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2026	9	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2025	9	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2024	14	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2023	15	15	80%	Tyre wear
2022	27	65	84.6%	Tyre wear
2021	21	67	83.6%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2020	22	81	87.7%	Tyre wear, Ball joint wear
2019	24	132	89.4%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2018	19	129	84.5%	Brake pad wear, Tyre wear
2017	32	248	87.5%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2016	22	179	88.8%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2015	16	167	83.2%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2014	11	134	79.9%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2013	16	208	80.8%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2012	19	269	78.4%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2011	40	673	73.7%	Tyre wear, Parking brake faults
2010	54	924	75.4%	Tyre wear, Parking brake faults
2009	20	389	72.8%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2008	11	227	73.1%	Parking brake faults, Tyre wear
2007	8	181	72.9%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2006	16	336	76.2%	Tyre wear, Parking brake faults
2005	15	396	69.4%	Tyre wear, Parking brake faults
2004	10	279	68.5%	Tyre wear, Parking brake faults

What to check when buying a used VOLVO XC90

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore® sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.
Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Suspension arm issues. Look for play or corrosion at the arm and ask whether it has been replaced.
Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Buying a VOLVO XC90?

Common problems tell you what can affect VOLVO XC90s generally. VehicleScore® can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore® analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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