2016 Volvo S90 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,637 MOT tests, the 2016 Volvo S90 recorded an 87.0% pass rate. Executive cars of a similar age fail at 12.8%, so the 2016 S90 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.6%) and brakes (3.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are brake pads, joints and track rod end — brake pads alone was recorded 45 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.6% in the 0-30k band and 18.2% in the 150k+ band, a 9.6-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 22.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 10.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 13.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.6% | 75 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.2% | 53 |
| 3 | Suspension | 2.9% | 47 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.4% | 40 |
| 5 | Steering | 2.0% | 33 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.8% | 29 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake pads | 45 |
| 2 | Joints | 45 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 37 |
| 4 | Ball joint dust cover | 35 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 22 |
| 6 | Wipers | 21 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 22.9% | 374 |
| 2 | Brakes | 16.0% | 262 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.8% | 128 |
| 4 | Other defects | 6.1% | 100 |
| 5 | Steering | 5.1% | 83 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.0% | 66 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 163 | 8.6% |
| 30-60k | 617 | 11.8% |
| 60-90k | 462 | 14.3% |
| 90-120k | 250 | 15.2% |
| 120-150k | 101 | 13.9% |
| 150k+ | 44 | 18.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 318 | 10.4% |
| 2022 | 329 | 12.5% |
| 2023 | 327 | 12.8% |
| 2024 | 331 | 15.4% |
| 2025 | 332 | 13.9% |
What to check before buying a 2016 S90
On a 2016 S90, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (4.6% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Brakes (3.2% 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.
- Suspension (2.9% 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 2016 Volvo S90s pass their MOT?
87.0% of the 1,637 2016 Volvo S90 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Volvo S90?
Tyres, recorded in 4.6% of tests, followed by brakes (3.2%).
Does the 2016 S90 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.6% in the 0-30k band to 18.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,637 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.