2006 Volvo XC90 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 18,268 MOT tests, the 2006 Volvo XC90 recorded a 72.6% pass rate. Large SUVs of a similar age fail 24.3% of the time, so this is 3.1pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.0% of tests against 15.6% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, headlamp aim and pins and bushes — position lamp alone was recorded 1,848 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 28.6% versus 11.0%.
The petrol cars hold up better: 25.9% fail against 27.6% for diesel, a 1.7-point gap across 18,253 tests.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 40.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.0% | 3,463 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.6% | 2,852 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.5% | 1,923 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.9% | 903 |
| 5 | Steering | 4.4% | 807 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.7% | 683 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 1,848 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 1,712 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 1,317 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 1,266 |
| 5 | Decelerometer (sp) | 1,008 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 943 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 40.2% | 7,339 |
| 2 | Brakes | 27.4% | 5,005 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.0% | 4,934 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 22.8% | 4,163 |
| 5 | Other defects | 19.3% | 3,532 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 12.0% | 2,184 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 146 | 11.0% |
| 60-90k | 928 | 23.5% |
| 90-120k | 3,161 | 26.0% |
| 120-150k | 5,865 | 27.7% |
| 150k+ | 8,130 | 28.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 16,456 | 27.6% |
| Petrol | 1,797 | 25.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,690 | 26.7% |
| 2022 | 4,376 | 27.9% |
| 2023 | 3,701 | 27.5% |
| 2024 | 3,028 | 28.1% |
| 2025 | 2,473 | 27.2% |
What to check before buying a 2006 XC90
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 19.0% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (19.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (15.6% 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.
- Suspension (10.5% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
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 2006 Volvo XC90s pass their MOT?
72.6% of the 18,268 2006 Volvo XC90 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Volvo XC90?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.0% of tests, followed by brakes (15.6%).
Does the 2006 XC90 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.0% in the 30-60k band to 28.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 18,268 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.