2021 Volvo Xc90 R- B5 Mhev Auto — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,273 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Volvo Xc90 R- B5 Mhev Auto, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, brakes and visibility. Its pass rate of 88.8% was below the average for cars of a similar age (91.2%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 8.3% | 271 |
| 2 | Brakes | 2.5% | 83 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.4% | 46 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 0.8% | 27 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.4% | 13 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.3% | 9 |
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 | 89 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 68 |
| 3 | Wipers | 33 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 29 |
| 5 | Washers | 13 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 9 |
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 | 23.9% | 784 |
| 2 | Brakes | 16.5% | 541 |
| 3 | Other defects | 9.7% | 318 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.9% | 126 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.5% | 83 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.0% | 33 |
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 | 1,031 | 10.0% |
| 30-60k | 1,938 | 11.6% |
| 60-90k | 283 | 12.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 2,330 | 11.3% |
| Hybrid | 933 | 10.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1,634 | 11.5% |
| 2025 | 1,618 | 10.9% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Xc90 R- B5 Mhev Auto
Before buying a 2021 Volvo Xc90 R- B5 Mhev Auto, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 8.3% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (8.3% 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 (2.5% 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.
- Visibility (1.4% 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 Xc90 R- B5 Mhev Autos pass their MOT?
88.8% of the 3,273 2021 Volvo Xc90 R- B5 Mhev Auto MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Volvo Xc90 R- B5 Mhev Auto?
Tyres, recorded in 8.3% of tests, followed by brakes (2.5%).
Does the 2021 Xc90 R- B5 Mhev Auto get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.0% in the 0-30k band to 12.4% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,273 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.