2017 Volvo V90 — MOT failures & pass rate
16,399 MOT tests on the 2017 Volvo V90 are in this dataset, and 87.9% of them passed. Against large family cars of a similar age (13.7% fail rate), the 2017 V90 comes out 1.7pp better. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (5.2%) and brakes (3.1%) 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 joints — brake pads alone was recorded 554 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 6.2% in the 0-30k band and 18.5% in the 150k+ band, a 12.3-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 22.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 8.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 15.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.2% | 854 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.1% | 515 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.9% | 316 |
| 4 | Suspension | 1.8% | 304 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 1.7% | 271 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.2% | 200 |
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 | 554 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 411 |
| 3 | Joints | 325 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 177 |
| 5 | Wipers | 171 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 157 |
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 | 22.5% | 3,691 |
| 2 | Brakes | 17.0% | 2,779 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.6% | 1,074 |
| 4 | Suspension | 5.7% | 938 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.8% | 464 |
| 6 | Steering | 2.1% | 347 |
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 | 1,475 | 6.2% |
| 30-60k | 6,251 | 10.0% |
| 60-90k | 5,314 | 13.8% |
| 90-120k | 2,265 | 15.2% |
| 120-150k | 763 | 16.8% |
| 150k+ | 329 | 18.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 16,037 | 12.1% |
| Hybrid | 224 | 11.6% |
| Petrol | 138 | 13.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,169 | 8.4% |
| 2022 | 3,240 | 10.1% |
| 2023 | 3,261 | 12.1% |
| 2024 | 3,338 | 14.2% |
| 2025 | 3,391 | 15.3% |
What to check before buying a 2017 V90
On a 2017 V90, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (5.2% 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 (3.1% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (1.9% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 V90s pass their MOT?
87.9% of the 16,399 2017 Volvo V90 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 Volvo V90?
Tyres, recorded in 5.2% of tests, followed by brakes (3.1%).
Does the 2017 V90 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.2% in the 0-30k band to 18.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 16,399 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.