At a Glance
The Volvo Xc90 has 27 identified common problems across 2 generations, with the Mk1 (2002-2014) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 800K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Volvo Xc90 common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Volvo Xc90 generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Volvo Xc90 Generations
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Most Common Volvo Xc90 MOT Failures
Every reason Volvo Xc90 vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 11.11% |
| 2 | Number plate lamp not working | 10.83% |
| 3 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 10.08% |
| 4 | Tyre condition | 7.44% |
| 5 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 6.71% |
| 6 | Brake pads or linings worn | 4.72% |
| 7 | Brake performance below minimum | 4.54% |
| 8 | Track rod end worn | 4.13% |
| 9 | Windscreen washer not working | 2.89% |
| 10 | Front lamp not working | 2.47% |
| 11 | Stop lamp not working | 2.46% |
| 12 | Headlamp aim defect | 2.17% |
| 13 | Ball joint dust cover split | 2.03% |
| 14 | Brake disc or drum worn | 1.82% |
| 15 | Driveshaft fault | 1.73% |
| 16 | Exhaust system fault | 1.63% |
| 17 | Headlamp fault | 1.42% |
| 18 | Indicator fault | 1.41% |
| 19 | Rear lamp not working | 1.40% |
| 20 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 1.39% |
| 21 | Fog lamp not working | 1.16% |
| 22 | Seat belt condition | 1.15% |
| 23 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 1.12% |
| 24 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.92% |
| 25 | Airbag warning light on | 0.90% |
| 26 | Parking brake condition | 0.80% |
| 27 | Position lamp not working | 0.67% |
| 28 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.64% |
| 29 | Steering rack fault | 0.63% |
| 30 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.54% |
| 31 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.52% |
| 32 | Rear suspension fault | 0.50% |
| 33 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.46% |
| 34 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.41% |
| 35 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 0.39% |
| 36 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.36% |
| 37 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.35% |
| 38 | Horn not working | 0.32% |
| 39 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 0.32% |
| 40 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.29% |
| 41 | ABS fault | 0.25% |
| 42 | Brake pedal fault | 0.22% |
| 43 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.21% |
| 44 | Steering arm worn | 0.19% |
| 45 | Steering free play excessive | 0.19% |
| 46 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.18% |
| 47 | Brake lever fault | 0.18% |
| 48 | Front suspension fault | 0.17% |
| 49 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.15% |
| 50 | Drag link end worn | 0.14% |
| 51 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.14% |
| 52 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.14% |
| 53 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.13% |
| 54 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.13% |
| 55 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.13% |
| 56 | Engine oil leak | 0.11% |
| 57 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.10% |
| 58 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.10% |
| 59 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.10% |
| 60 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.10% |
| 61 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 0.09% |
| 62 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.09% |
| 63 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.09% |
| 64 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.09% |
| 65 | Steering column fault | 0.08% |
| 66 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.07% |
| 67 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.07% |
| 68 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.07% |
| 69 | Propshaft fault | 0.06% |
| 70 | Brake caliper fault | 0.06% |
| 71 | Headlamp washer not working | 0.06% |
| 72 | Steering operation fault | 0.05% |
| 73 | Outline marker lamp not working | 0.05% |
| 74 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.05% |
| 75 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.05% |
| 76 | Driver door fault | 0.05% |
| 77 | Front passenger door fault | 0.05% |
| 78 | Electrical switch fault | 0.05% |
| 79 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.04% |
| 80 | Driver seat fault | 0.03% |
| 81 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.03% |
| 82 | Front fog lamp not working | 0.03% |
| 83 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.03% |
| 84 | Electronic parking brake fault | 0.03% |
| 85 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.03% |
| 86 | Towbar fault | 0.03% |
| 87 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.03% |
| 88 | Driver airbag fault | 0.03% |
| 89 | Spare wheel fault | 0.03% |
| 90 | Exhaust leak | 0.03% |
| 91 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.03% |
| 92 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.03% |
| 93 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.03% |
| 94 | Passenger seat fault | 0.02% |
| 95 | Electronic braking system fault | 0.02% |
| 96 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.02% |
| 97 | Power steering pump fault | 0.02% |
| 98 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.02% |
| 99 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 100 | Dip switch fault | 0.02% |
| 101 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 102 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 103 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | 0.02% |
| 104 | Window damaged or won't operate | 0.02% |
| 105 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.01% |
| 106 | Speedometer fault | 0.01% |
| 107 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.01% |
| 108 | Brake fluid leak | 0.01% |
| 109 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.01% |
| 110 | Main beam warning light fault | 0.01% |
| 111 | Steering lock fault | 0.01% |
| 112 | Undertray damaged or missing | <0.01% |
| 113 | Handbrake cable fault | <0.01% |
| 114 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 115 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 116 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 117 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 118 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 119 | Body security fault | <0.01% |
| 120 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 121 | Suspension unit fault | <0.01% |
| 122 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 123 | Power steering ram fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 125 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 126 | Vehicle structure corrosion | <0.01% |
| 127 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Chassis condition | <0.01% |
| 129 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 130 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 131 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 134 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 138 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 139 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 140 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | <0.01% |
| 144 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 149 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 151 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 152 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 153 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 154 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 156 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 157 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 158 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 159 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 161 | Step damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 162 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 163 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 164 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 165 | Air suspension levelling valve fault | <0.01% |
| 166 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 167 | Dropside damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 168 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 169 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 170 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 171 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 172 | Steering head bearings worn | <0.01% |
| 173 | Subframe mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 174 | Chain drive fault | <0.01% |
| 175 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 176 | Seat belt load limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 177 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 178 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 179 | Suspension air bellows damaged | <0.01% |
Showing all 179 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Volvo Xc90 MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Volvo Xc90, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Volvo Xc90 problems?
Based on analysis of 800K Volvo Xc90 MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 27 identified common problems across 2 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Parking brake performance below minimum". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Volvo Xc90 generation has the most problems?
The Volvo Xc90 Mk1 (2002-2014) (2002–2014) has the highest number of identified common problems (37). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Volvo Xc90?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Volvo Xc90 owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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