2009 Volvo XC90 — MOT failures & pass rate
21,572 MOT tests on the 2009 Volvo XC90 are in this dataset, and 76.3% of them passed. That is 2.0 percentage points worse than large SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 21.7%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (16.1%) and brakes (13.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, decelerometer (sp) and rbt (sp) — position lamp alone was recorded 2,441 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 5.7% in the 0-30k band and 25.3% in the 150k+ band, a 19.6-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 32.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 22.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 24.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.1% | 3,467 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.7% | 2,955 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.6% | 1,417 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.0% | 1,081 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.8% | 818 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.8% | 400 |
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 | 2,441 |
| 2 | Decelerometer (sp) | 1,111 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 938 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 930 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 846 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 611 |
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 | 32.4% | 6,999 |
| 2 | Tyres | 26.3% | 5,680 |
| 3 | Brakes | 22.4% | 4,823 |
| 4 | Other defects | 18.3% | 3,950 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 14.3% | 3,086 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.4% | 1,375 |
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 | 35 | 5.7% |
| 30-60k | 411 | 17.5% |
| 60-90k | 2,168 | 19.6% |
| 90-120k | 6,257 | 23.3% |
| 120-150k | 7,007 | 24.5% |
| 150k+ | 5,692 | 25.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 21,102 | 23.7% |
| Petrol | 470 | 23.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,579 | 22.6% |
| 2022 | 4,586 | 23.8% |
| 2023 | 4,453 | 24.2% |
| 2024 | 4,101 | 23.6% |
| 2025 | 3,853 | 24.4% |
What to check before buying a 2009 XC90
On a 2009 XC90, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (13.7% 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 (6.6% 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 2009 Volvo XC90s pass their MOT?
76.3% of the 21,572 2009 Volvo XC90 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Volvo XC90?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.1% of tests, followed by brakes (13.7%).
Does the 2009 XC90 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.7% in the 0-30k band to 25.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 21,572 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.