Volvo S90 MOT pass rate and common problems
89.5% of 12,495 Volvo S90 MOT tests pass.
The S90 passes its MOT 89.5% of the time — well above the average across all Volvo models, which sits at 80.1%.
The Volvo S90 passes its MOT 89.5% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Volvo S90?
This is the average across every Volvo S90 in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Volvo’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate declines noticeably with age, from 90.8% at 3–6 years to 73.1% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | too few tests (15) | 15 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | 90.8% | 7,798 | 52,432 miles |
| 6–10 years | 88.0% | 4,507 | 73,836 miles |
| 10–15 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 15+ years | 73.1% | 175 | 117,268 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Volvo S90
The most common reason the Volvo S90 fails its MOT is tyres — present in 50.2% of failed tests, most often logged as "Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 50.2% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Brakes | 35.6% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Suspension | 10.3% | Fractured or broken |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 10.3% | Too low |
| Visibility | 9.2% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Body, chassis, structure | 6.8% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Steering | 5.6% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 2.8% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Road Wheels | 1.6% | Fractured |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.6% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
Buying a used Volvo S90: what to check
These checks follow the Volvo S90’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Volvo S90 comes between 6–10 years and 15+ years old, from 88.0% to 73.1%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 0–30,000 mi to 30,000–60,000 mi: 93.9% down to 90.5%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Tyres
Recorded in 50.2% of failed Volvo S90 MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
2. Brakes
Recorded in 35.6% of failed Volvo S90 MOTs. 18.9% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes, against 4.0% at 3–6 years.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
3. Suspension
Recorded in 10.3% of failed Volvo S90 MOTs. 16.0% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension, against 0.6% at 3–6 years.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
4. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 10.3% of failed Volvo S90 MOTs. 17.7% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 0.9% at 3–6 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 9.2% of failed Volvo S90 MOTs. 7.4% of tests at 15+ years failed on windscreen and wipers, against 1.0% at 3–6 years.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Volvo service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Volvo models
- Volvo XC70 — 75.8% pass rate
- Volvo V90 — 87.0% pass rate
- Volvo C70 — 68.0% pass rate
- Volvo S80 — 77.3% pass rate
- Volvo 900 Series — 67.9% pass rate
- Volvo 800 Series — 69.1% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Volvo S90?
- 89.5% of Volvo S90 MOT tests pass, based on 12,495 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Volvo S90?
- The most common reason the Volvo S90 fails its MOT is tyres — present in 50.2% of failed tests, most often logged as "Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm".
- What are the common problems with the Volvo S90?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Volvo S90 are tyres; brakes; suspension.
- What should I check when buying a used Volvo S90?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: tyres; brakes; suspension; lights and electrics; windscreen and wipers. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Volvo S90's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Volvo service history guide for how to check and keep one.