2016 Volvo XC90 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 30,516 MOT tests, the 2016 Volvo XC90 recorded an 85.0% pass rate. That is 2.5 percentage points worse than large SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 12.5%. Failures cluster in tyres, steering and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (5.4%) and steering (4.2%) 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 1,470 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 16.9% versus 10.9%.
Fuel type barely separates them — diesel fails 14.9% of the time against 15.2% for hybrid.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 22.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 12.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 15.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.4% | 1,641 |
| 2 | Steering | 4.2% | 1,287 |
| 3 | Brakes | 3.4% | 1,042 |
| 4 | Suspension | 3.1% | 939 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.7% | 526 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.5% | 468 |
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 | 1,470 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 1,029 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 741 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 621 |
| 5 | Ball joint dust cover | 495 |
| 6 | Wipers | 394 |
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 | 22.4% | 6,841 |
| 2 | Brakes | 16.9% | 5,169 |
| 3 | Other defects | 13.4% | 4,101 |
| 4 | Suspension | 10.9% | 3,319 |
| 5 | Steering | 9.6% | 2,919 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.3% | 1,323 |
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 | 1,267 | 10.9% |
| 30-60k | 9,817 | 13.0% |
| 60-90k | 11,538 | 15.6% |
| 90-120k | 5,734 | 17.4% |
| 120-150k | 1,672 | 16.9% |
| 150k+ | 485 | 16.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 21,060 | 14.9% |
| Hybrid | 8,212 | 15.2% |
| Petrol | 1,244 | 14.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,029 | 12.5% |
| 2022 | 6,124 | 15.0% |
| 2023 | 6,134 | 15.5% |
| 2024 | 6,144 | 16.2% |
| 2025 | 6,085 | 15.7% |
What to check before buying a 2016 XC90
On a 2016 XC90, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (5.4% 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 (4.2% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£500.
- Brakes (3.4% 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 2016 Volvo XC90s pass their MOT?
85.0% of the 30,516 2016 Volvo XC90 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 15.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Volvo XC90?
Tyres, recorded in 5.4% of tests, followed by steering (4.2%).
Does the 2016 XC90 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.9% in the 0-30k band to 16.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 30,516 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.