2015 Volvo XC90 — MOT failures & pass rate
15,998 MOT tests on the 2015 Volvo XC90 are in this dataset, and 84.3% of them passed. Large SUVs of a similar age fail 13.7% of the time, so this is 2.0pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, steering and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (5.8%) and steering (4.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, brake pads and ball joint — track rod end alone was recorded 824 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 17.8% versus 9.2%.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 15.2% of the time against 15.7% for diesel.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 22.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 13.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 15.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.8% | 928 |
| 2 | Steering | 4.4% | 699 |
| 3 | Brakes | 4.0% | 641 |
| 4 | Suspension | 2.7% | 427 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.9% | 308 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.6% | 261 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Track rod end | 824 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 636 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 527 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 347 |
| 5 | Wipers | 223 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 179 |
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 | 22.9% | 3,658 |
| 2 | Brakes | 17.7% | 2,831 |
| 3 | Other defects | 12.3% | 1,975 |
| 4 | Suspension | 11.3% | 1,806 |
| 5 | Steering | 5.9% | 946 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.2% | 677 |
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 | 360 | 9.2% |
| 30-60k | 3,985 | 13.9% |
| 60-90k | 6,221 | 15.7% |
| 90-120k | 3,841 | 17.8% |
| 120-150k | 1,207 | 16.4% |
| 150k+ | 382 | 17.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 14,899 | 15.7% |
| Petrol | 957 | 15.2% |
| Hybrid | 142 | 18.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,194 | 13.8% |
| 2022 | 3,212 | 15.7% |
| 2023 | 3,222 | 16.3% |
| 2024 | 3,198 | 17.2% |
| 2025 | 3,172 | 15.6% |
What to check before buying a 2015 XC90
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 5.8% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (5.8% 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.
- Steering (4.4% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£500.
- Brakes (4.0% 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.
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 2015 Volvo XC90s pass their MOT?
84.3% of the 15,998 2015 Volvo XC90 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 15.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2015 Volvo XC90?
Tyres, recorded in 5.8% of tests, followed by steering (4.4%).
Does the 2015 XC90 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.2% in the 0-30k band to 17.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 15,998 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.