2020 Volvo Xc90 Momentum B5 Auto — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,095 MOT tests analysed for the 2020 Volvo Xc90 Momentum B5 Auto, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, brakes and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 90.3% was in line with the average for cars of a similar age (90.6%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 12.2% in the 60-90k group versus 7.0% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.0% | 55 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.2% | 35 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.6% | 18 |
| 4 | Visibility | 0.8% | 9 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.8% | 9 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.5% | 5 |
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 | 36 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 15 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 15 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 9 |
| 5 | Wipers | 6 |
| 6 | Registration plates | 5 |
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 | 19.3% | 211 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.5% | 137 |
| 3 | Other defects | 8.0% | 88 |
| 4 | Suspension | 3.5% | 38 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.8% | 31 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.7% | 30 |
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 | 270 | 7.0% |
| 30-60k | 606 | 9.7% |
| 60-90k | 189 | 12.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 363 | 8.3% |
| 2024 | 363 | 10.5% |
| 2025 | 349 | 10.6% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Xc90 Momentum B5 Auto
Before buying a 2020 Volvo Xc90 Momentum B5 Auto, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 5.0% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (5.0% 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 (3.2% 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 (1.6% 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 Momentum B5 Autos pass their MOT?
90.3% of the 1,095 2020 Volvo Xc90 Momentum B5 Auto MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Volvo Xc90 Momentum B5 Auto?
Tyres, recorded in 5.0% of tests, followed by brakes (3.2%).
Does the 2020 Xc90 Momentum B5 Auto get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.0% in the 0-30k band to 12.2% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,095 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.