2007 Volvo XC90 — MOT failures & pass rate
17,976 MOT tests on the 2007 Volvo XC90 are in this dataset, and 72.9% of them passed. That is 3.5 percentage points worse than large SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 23.6%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (18.6%) and brakes (16.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, headlamp aim and headlamp — position lamp alone was recorded 1,870 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 15.8% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 28.8% once past 150k.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.2pp more often than petrol ones (27.3% vs 25.2%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 40.0% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.6% | 3,344 |
| 2 | Brakes | 16.1% | 2,890 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.5% | 1,710 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.1% | 926 |
| 5 | Steering | 4.8% | 857 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.6% | 651 |
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 | 1,870 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 1,512 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 1,150 |
| 4 | Decelerometer (sp) | 1,108 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 1,085 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 874 |
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 | 40.0% | 7,189 |
| 2 | Brakes | 29.4% | 5,285 |
| 3 | Tyres | 26.9% | 4,831 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 22.2% | 3,988 |
| 5 | Other defects | 21.4% | 3,854 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 11.3% | 2,036 |
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 | 38 | 15.8% |
| 30-60k | 159 | 18.2% |
| 60-90k | 1,112 | 21.4% |
| 90-120k | 3,387 | 25.9% |
| 120-150k | 5,603 | 27.1% |
| 150k+ | 7,660 | 28.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 16,452 | 27.3% |
| Petrol | 1,514 | 25.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,349 | 26.8% |
| 2022 | 4,057 | 26.7% |
| 2023 | 3,657 | 26.8% |
| 2024 | 3,228 | 28.7% |
| 2025 | 2,685 | 27.1% |
What to check before buying a 2007 XC90
On a 2007 XC90, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (18.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (16.1% 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 (9.5% 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 2007 Volvo XC90s pass their MOT?
72.9% of the 17,976 2007 Volvo XC90 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Volvo XC90?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.6% of tests, followed by brakes (16.1%).
Does the 2007 XC90 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.8% in the 0-30k band to 28.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 17,976 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.