2019 Volvo XC90 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 32,444 MOT tests, the 2019 Volvo XC90 recorded an 89.3% pass rate. That is effectively the same as large SUVs of a similar age (9.8% 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 (6.2%) and brakes (3.6%) 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 1,322 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2019 XC90 fails 8.3% of the time in the 0-30k band and 10.8% at 150k+, a spread of only 2.5 points.
Fuel type barely separates them — hybrid fails 10.2% of the time against 10.9% for petrol.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 23.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.2% | 2,004 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.6% | 1,165 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.3% | 412 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 1.2% | 387 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.5% | 158 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.5% | 153 |
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 | 1,322 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 464 |
| 3 | Wipers | 340 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 308 |
| 5 | Registration plates | 176 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 152 |
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 | 23.0% | 7,448 |
| 2 | Brakes | 16.1% | 5,229 |
| 3 | Other defects | 11.0% | 3,558 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.9% | 1,275 |
| 5 | Suspension | 3.3% | 1,079 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.1% | 358 |
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 | 8,839 | 8.3% |
| 30-60k | 16,855 | 11.3% |
| 60-90k | 5,578 | 12.0% |
| 90-120k | 955 | 13.5% |
| 120-150k | 178 | 10.1% |
| 150k+ | 37 | 10.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 18,179 | 10.7% |
| Petrol | 8,037 | 10.9% |
| Hybrid | 6,228 | 10.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 268 | 11.6% |
| 2022 | 8,226 | 10.0% |
| 2023 | 8,115 | 11.0% |
| 2024 | 7,948 | 10.6% |
| 2025 | 7,887 | 11.2% |
What to check before buying a 2019 XC90
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 6.2% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (6.2% 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 (3.6% 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 (1.3% 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 2019 Volvo XC90s pass their MOT?
89.3% of the 32,444 2019 Volvo XC90 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 Volvo XC90?
Tyres, recorded in 6.2% of tests, followed by brakes (3.6%).
Does the 2019 XC90 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.3% in the 0-30k band to 10.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 32,444 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.