2020 Volvo S90 — MOT failures & pass rate
3,422 MOT tests on the 2020 Volvo S90 are in this dataset, and 91.0% of them passed. That is effectively the same as executive cars of a similar age (10.0% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (5.1%) and brakes (3.3%) 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 headlamp aim — brake pads alone was recorded 162 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 7.5% in the 0-30k band and 11.8% in the 90-120k band, a 4.3-point spread.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 8.7% of the time against 9.9% for diesel.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 22.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 5.8% of tests failed in 2022 against 9.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.1% | 175 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.3% | 112 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.2% | 40 |
| 4 | Visibility | 0.9% | 29 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.4% | 12 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.2% | 8 |
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 | 162 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 83 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 35 |
| 4 | Wipers | 19 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 10 |
| 6 | Registration plates | 9 |
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 | 22.1% | 758 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.5% | 495 |
| 3 | Other defects | 4.6% | 157 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.8% | 95 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.9% | 31 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.6% | 22 |
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 | 1,373 | 7.5% |
| 30-60k | 1,527 | 9.6% |
| 60-90k | 401 | 11.7% |
| 90-120k | 85 | 11.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 2,192 | 8.7% |
| Diesel | 943 | 9.9% |
| Hybrid | 287 | 8.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 69 | 5.8% |
| 2023 | 1,140 | 8.2% |
| 2024 | 1,102 | 9.9% |
| 2025 | 1,104 | 9.2% |
What to check before buying a 2020 S90
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 5.1% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (5.1% 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 (3.3% 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 (1.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2020 Volvo S90s pass their MOT?
91.0% of the 3,422 2020 Volvo S90 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Volvo S90?
Tyres, recorded in 5.1% of tests, followed by brakes (3.3%).
Does the 2020 S90 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.5% in the 0-30k band to 11.8% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,422 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.