Volvo XC90 Rdesign MOT pass rate and common problems
89.4% of 1,449 Volvo XC90 Rdesign MOT tests pass.
The XC90 Rdesign passes its MOT 89.4% of the time — well above the average across all Volvo models, which sits at 80.1%.
The Volvo XC90 Rdesign passes its MOT 89.4% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Volvo XC90 Rdesign?
This is the average across every Volvo XC90 Rdesign 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 stays relatively stable with age: 89.7% at 0–3 years versus 88.9% at 3–6 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 89.7% | 827 | 33,286 miles |
| 3–6 years | 88.9% | 622 | 35,628 miles |
| 6–10 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 15+ years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Volvo XC90 Rdesign
The most common reason the Volvo XC90 Rdesign fails its MOT is tyres — present in 60.2% of failed tests, most often logged as "Has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 60.2% | Has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure |
| Brakes | 18.7% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Visibility | 13.3% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 11.4% | Too high |
| Identification of the vehicle | 2.4% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Road Wheels | 1.8% | Fixing missing |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.2% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 1.2% | Buckle not functioning as intended |
| Steering | 0.6% | Ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Body, chassis, structure | 0.6% | Component damaged and likely to cause injury |
Buying a used Volvo XC90 Rdesign: what to check
These checks follow the Volvo XC90 Rdesign’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.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 30,000–60,000 mi to 60,000–90,000 mi: 90.6% down to 82.4%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Tyres
Recorded in 60.2% of failed Volvo XC90 Rdesign 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 18.7% of failed Volvo XC90 Rdesign MOTs.
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. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 13.3% of failed Volvo XC90 Rdesign MOTs.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
4. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 11.4% of failed Volvo XC90 Rdesign MOTs. 1.9% of tests at 3–6 years failed on lights and electrics, against 0.8% at 0–3 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. Number plates and VIN
Recorded in 2.4% of failed Volvo XC90 Rdesign MOTs.
Match the registration plates and the VIN (usually at the base of the windscreen and on a door pillar) to the V5C.
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 XC40 Rdesign — 94.9% pass rate
- Volvo XC60 R-Design T6 Rcharg — 94.0% pass rate
- Volvo XC60 Inscrpt Exp — 95.1% pass rate
- Volvo V90 Cross Country — 91.8% pass rate
- Volvo XC40 Inscription T4 Recharge — 93.7% pass rate
- Volvo XC60 Rdesgn Pro T8 Rchrg — 92.2% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Volvo XC90 Rdesign?
- 89.4% of Volvo XC90 Rdesign MOT tests pass, based on 1,449 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Volvo XC90 Rdesign?
- The most common reason the Volvo XC90 Rdesign fails its MOT is tyres — present in 60.2% of failed tests, most often logged as "Has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure".
- What are the common problems with the Volvo XC90 Rdesign?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Volvo XC90 Rdesign are tyres; brakes; windscreen and wipers.
- What should I check when buying a used Volvo XC90 Rdesign?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: tyres; brakes; windscreen and wipers; lights and electrics; number plates and vin. 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 XC90 Rdesign'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.