2011 Volvo XC90 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2011 Volvo XC90 passed 78.0% of its 26,901 recorded MOT tests. Against large SUVs of a similar age (19.3% fail rate), the 2011 XC90 comes out 2.7pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.2% of tests against 12.9% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, decelerometer (sp) and headlamp aim — position lamp alone was recorded 3,022 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.0% in the 0-30k band and 24.8% in the 150k+ band, a 16.8-point spread — more than double.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 26.0% 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 | 16.2% | 4,355 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.9% | 3,460 |
| 3 | Tyres | 5.3% | 1,411 |
| 4 | Suspension | 3.6% | 960 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.1% | 845 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.5% | 403 |
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 | 3,022 |
| 2 | Decelerometer (sp) | 1,454 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 1,142 |
| 4 | Rbt (sp) | 1,076 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 1,075 |
| 6 | Individual direction indicators | 1,068 |
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 | 26.0% | 7,001 |
| 2 | Suspension | 21.8% | 5,858 |
| 3 | Brakes | 20.9% | 5,627 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 15.0% | 4,024 |
| 5 | Other defects | 14.7% | 3,961 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.2% | 1,135 |
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 | 75 | 8.0% |
| 30-60k | 998 | 12.9% |
| 60-90k | 5,029 | 19.7% |
| 90-120k | 8,911 | 21.8% |
| 120-150k | 7,145 | 23.4% |
| 150k+ | 4,740 | 24.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 26,708 | 22.0% |
| Petrol | 193 | 17.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,526 | 21.2% |
| 2022 | 5,523 | 21.9% |
| 2023 | 5,341 | 20.6% |
| 2024 | 5,387 | 23.7% |
| 2025 | 5,124 | 22.7% |
What to check before buying a 2011 XC90
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 16.2% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (16.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.9% 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.
- Tyres (5.3% 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.
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 2011 Volvo XC90s pass their MOT?
78.0% of the 26,901 2011 Volvo XC90 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Volvo XC90?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.2% of tests, followed by brakes (12.9%).
Does the 2011 XC90 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.0% in the 0-30k band to 24.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 26,901 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.