1997 Volvo S90 — MOT failures & pass rate
373 MOT tests on the 1997 Volvo S90 are in this dataset, and 79.1% of them passed. Executive cars of a similar age fail 22.2% of the time, so this is 1.3pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (12.1%) and lighting & signalling (9.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), pins and bushes and catalyst emissions — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 27 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 7.3% in the 30-60k band and 27.3% in the 150k+ band, a 20.0-point spread — more than double.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 34.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 22.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 30.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 12.1% | 45 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 9.7% | 36 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.1% | 34 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.8% | 18 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.8% | 18 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.5% | 13 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rbt (sp) | 27 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 19 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 17 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 14 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 12 |
| 6 | Linkage ball joints | 11 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 34.8% | 130 |
| 2 | Brakes | 22.5% | 84 |
| 3 | Tyres | 18.0% | 67 |
| 4 | Other defects | 17.2% | 64 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 16.6% | 62 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.3% | 46 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 41 | 7.3% |
| 60-90k | 60 | 15.0% |
| 90-120k | 123 | 24.4% |
| 120-150k | 50 | 18.0% |
| 150k+ | 99 | 27.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 91 | 22.0% |
| 2022 | 73 | 15.1% |
| 2023 | 71 | 16.9% |
| 2024 | 65 | 20.0% |
| 2025 | 73 | 30.1% |
What to check before buying a 1997 S90
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: brakes accounted for 12.1% of tests. Start there.
- Brakes (12.1% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Lighting & signalling (9.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.1% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1997 Volvo S90s pass their MOT?
79.1% of the 373 1997 Volvo S90 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1997 Volvo S90?
Brakes, recorded in 12.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (9.7%).
Does the 1997 S90 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.3% in the 30-60k band to 27.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 373 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.