2020 Volvo Xc90 Inscription B5 Auto — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 599 MOT tests analysed for the 2020 Volvo Xc90 Inscription B5 Auto, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, brakes and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 91.0% was in line with the average for cars of a similar age (90.6%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.8% | 23 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.0% | 18 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.8% | 11 |
| 4 | Visibility | 0.8% | 5 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.5% | 3 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.3% | 2 |
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 | 25 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 11 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 7 |
| 4 | Wipers | 4 |
| 5 | Headlamp cleaning device | 2 |
| 6 | Belt(s)/padding | 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 | 24.4% | 146 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.3% | 74 |
| 3 | Other defects | 10.3% | 62 |
| 4 | Suspension | 3.3% | 20 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.0% | 18 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.8% | 11 |
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 | 168 | 7.1% |
| 30-60k | 339 | 10.3% |
| 60-90k | 88 | 8.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 199 | 9.0% |
| 2024 | 197 | 8.6% |
| 2025 | 195 | 9.7% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Xc90 Inscription B5 Auto
Before buying a 2020 Volvo Xc90 Inscription B5 Auto, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 3.8% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (3.8% 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 (3.0% 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 (1.8% 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 Xc90 Inscription B5 Autos pass their MOT?
91.0% of the 599 2020 Volvo Xc90 Inscription B5 Auto MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Volvo Xc90 Inscription B5 Auto?
Tyres, recorded in 3.8% of tests, followed by brakes (3.0%).
Does the 2020 Xc90 Inscription B5 Auto get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.1% in the 0-30k band to 8.0% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 599 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.