2021 Volvo S90 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2021 Volvo S90 passed 92.4% of its 526 recorded MOT tests. That is 2.2 percentage points better than executive cars of a similar age, which fail at 9.8%. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
Tyres dominates the failure mix at 6.1% of all tests — 4.8 points clear of lighting & signalling, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, headlamp aim and registration plate lamp(s) — tread depth alone was recorded 12 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2021 S90 fails 6.4% of the time in the 0-30k band and 7.6% at 60-90k, a spread of only 1.2 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 20.0% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.1% | 32 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.3% | 7 |
| 3 | Visibility | 0.6% | 3 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.4% | 2 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.4% | 2 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.2% | 1 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 12 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 5 |
| 3 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 3 |
| 4 | Wipers | 3 |
| 5 | Registration plates | 2 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 2 |
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 | 20.0% | 105 |
| 2 | Brakes | 4.9% | 26 |
| 3 | Other defects | 3.6% | 19 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.0% | 16 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.6% | 3 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.6% | 3 |
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 | 204 | 6.4% |
| 30-60k | 240 | 8.8% |
| 60-90k | 66 | 7.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 254 | 7.5% |
| 2025 | 256 | 7.8% |
What to check before buying a 2021 S90
On a 2021 S90, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (6.1% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (0.6% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£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 2021 Volvo S90s pass their MOT?
92.4% of the 526 2021 Volvo S90 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Volvo S90?
Tyres, recorded in 6.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.3%).
Does the 2021 S90 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.4% in the 0-30k band to 7.6% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 526 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.