2019 Volvo V90 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 11,413 MOT tests analysed for the 2019 Volvo V90, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, brakes and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 88.3% was below the average for cars of a similar age (89.8%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 22.2% in the 150k+ group versus 8.2% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.9% | 668 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.5% | 400 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.7% | 309 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.2% | 135 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.7% | 79 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.6% | 65 |
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 | 484 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 262 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 164 |
| 4 | Wipers | 101 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 100 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 62 |
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 | 24.2% | 2,762 |
| 2 | Brakes | 16.7% | 1,905 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.2% | 708 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.3% | 374 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 2.9% | 325 |
| 6 | Suspension | 1.4% | 155 |
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 | 3,025 | 8.2% |
| 30-60k | 5,543 | 12.2% |
| 60-90k | 2,087 | 14.2% |
| 90-120k | 511 | 14.1% |
| 120-150k | 148 | 14.9% |
| 150k+ | 99 | 22.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 7,596 | 12.3% |
| Petrol | 3,626 | 10.4% |
| Hybrid | 191 | 13.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 92 | 9.8% |
| 2022 | 2,816 | 10.4% |
| 2023 | 2,854 | 11.9% |
| 2024 | 2,829 | 12.8% |
| 2025 | 2,822 | 11.8% |
What to check before buying a 2019 V90
Before buying a 2019 Volvo V90, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 5.9% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (5.9% 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 (3.5% 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 (2.7% 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 2019 Volvo V90s pass their MOT?
88.3% of the 11,413 2019 Volvo V90 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 Volvo V90?
Tyres, recorded in 5.9% of tests, followed by brakes (3.5%).
Does the 2019 V90 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.2% in the 0-30k band to 22.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 11,413 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.