2017 Volvo S90 — MOT failures & pass rate
7,754 MOT tests on the 2017 Volvo S90 are in this dataset, and 89.5% of them passed. Against executive cars of a similar age (11.6% fail rate), the 2017 S90 comes out 1.1pp better. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.7%) 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, tread depth and coil spring — brake pads alone was recorded 268 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 6.6% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 13.6% once past 150k — 2.1× the risk.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 21.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 7.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 13.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.7% | 366 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.2% | 249 |
| 3 | Suspension | 1.8% | 137 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.1% | 88 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.0% | 78 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.0% | 75 |
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 | 268 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 159 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 85 |
| 4 | Joints | 77 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 74 |
| 6 | Wipers | 50 |
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 | 21.8% | 1,690 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.5% | 1,205 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.3% | 491 |
| 4 | Suspension | 4.9% | 377 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.1% | 242 |
| 6 | Steering | 2.4% | 185 |
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 | 981 | 6.6% |
| 30-60k | 3,170 | 8.5% |
| 60-90k | 2,207 | 13.5% |
| 90-120k | 859 | 13.2% |
| 120-150k | 324 | 12.7% |
| 150k+ | 213 | 13.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 7,585 | 10.5% |
| Hybrid | 162 | 10.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,557 | 7.6% |
| 2022 | 1,544 | 9.7% |
| 2023 | 1,529 | 9.7% |
| 2024 | 1,559 | 12.4% |
| 2025 | 1,565 | 13.0% |
What to check before buying a 2017 S90
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 4.7% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (4.7% 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 (1.8% 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 2017 Volvo S90s pass their MOT?
89.5% of the 7,754 2017 Volvo S90 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 Volvo S90?
Tyres, recorded in 4.7% of tests, followed by brakes (3.2%).
Does the 2017 S90 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.6% in the 0-30k band to 13.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,754 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.