2017 Volvo XC90 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2017 Volvo XC90 passed 87.7% of its 31,284 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as large SUVs of a similar age (11.3% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (6.0%) and brakes (3.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are brake pads, tread depth and ball joint — brake pads alone was recorded 1,075 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 8.0% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 17.7% once past 150k — 2.2× the risk.
Fuel type barely separates them — hybrid fails 12.0% of the time against 12.5% for petrol.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 22.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 10.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 13.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.0% | 1,863 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.3% | 1,034 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.5% | 472 |
| 4 | Suspension | 1.5% | 471 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 1.5% | 457 |
| 6 | Steering | 1.4% | 432 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake pads | 1,075 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 642 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 470 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 430 |
| 5 | Wipers | 387 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 386 |
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 | 22.1% | 6,897 |
| 2 | Brakes | 16.3% | 5,083 |
| 3 | Other defects | 11.8% | 3,705 |
| 4 | Suspension | 7.2% | 2,251 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.0% | 1,250 |
| 6 | Steering | 3.5% | 1,096 |
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 | 2,760 | 8.0% |
| 30-60k | 13,422 | 11.1% |
| 60-90k | 10,376 | 13.7% |
| 90-120k | 3,679 | 15.3% |
| 120-150k | 843 | 14.0% |
| 150k+ | 203 | 17.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 21,285 | 12.4% |
| Hybrid | 8,721 | 12.0% |
| Petrol | 1,278 | 12.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,217 | 10.0% |
| 2022 | 6,276 | 12.0% |
| 2023 | 6,255 | 12.8% |
| 2024 | 6,277 | 13.3% |
| 2025 | 6,259 | 13.5% |
What to check before buying a 2017 XC90
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 6.0% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (6.0% 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.
- Brakes (3.3% 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.
- Visibility (1.5% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
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 2017 Volvo XC90s pass their MOT?
87.7% of the 31,284 2017 Volvo XC90 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 Volvo XC90?
Tyres, recorded in 6.0% of tests, followed by brakes (3.3%).
Does the 2017 XC90 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.0% in the 0-30k band to 17.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 31,284 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.