2018 Volvo XC90 — MOT failures & pass rate
35,121 MOT tests on the 2018 Volvo XC90 are in this dataset, and 89.0% of them passed. Large SUVs of a similar age fail at 10.3%, so the 2018 XC90 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (5.6%) and brakes (3.7%) 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 wipers — brake pads alone was recorded 1,447 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 12.5% versus 7.7%.
Fuel type barely separates them — hybrid fails 10.0% of the time against 11.4% for petrol.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 22.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 9.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 12.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.6% | 1,980 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.7% | 1,297 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.5% | 532 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 1.3% | 461 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.8% | 265 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.6% | 199 |
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 | 1,447 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 613 |
| 3 | Wipers | 420 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 365 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 218 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 200 |
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% | 7,757 |
| 2 | Brakes | 16.5% | 5,810 |
| 3 | Other defects | 11.2% | 3,926 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.8% | 1,337 |
| 5 | Suspension | 3.7% | 1,289 |
| 6 | Steering | 1.3% | 466 |
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 | 7,249 | 7.7% |
| 30-60k | 17,047 | 11.1% |
| 60-90k | 8,397 | 12.7% |
| 90-120k | 1,960 | 13.6% |
| 120-150k | 336 | 15.2% |
| 150k+ | 128 | 12.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 26,001 | 11.1% |
| Hybrid | 5,769 | 10.0% |
| Petrol | 3,345 | 11.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7,029 | 9.0% |
| 2022 | 7,047 | 10.3% |
| 2023 | 7,030 | 11.1% |
| 2024 | 7,017 | 12.2% |
| 2025 | 6,998 | 12.2% |
What to check before buying a 2018 XC90
On a 2018 XC90, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (5.6% 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 (3.7% 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.
- 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 2018 Volvo XC90s pass their MOT?
89.0% of the 35,121 2018 Volvo XC90 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 Volvo XC90?
Tyres, recorded in 5.6% of tests, followed by brakes (3.7%).
Does the 2018 XC90 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.7% in the 0-30k band to 12.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 35,121 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.