2020 Volvo XC90 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2020 Volvo XC90 passed 89.9% of its 16,455 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as large SUVs of a similar age (9.3% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 6.6% of tests against 2.2% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are brake pads, tread depth and headlamp aim — brake pads alone was recorded 384 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2020 XC90 fails 8.2% of the time in the 0-30k band and 9.5% at 120-150k, a spread of only 1.3 points.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 9.5% of the time against 10.3% for hybrid.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 22.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 18.2% in 2021 to 10.7% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.6% | 1,093 |
| 2 | Brakes | 2.2% | 358 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.3% | 216 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.2% | 195 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.5% | 81 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.5% | 79 |
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 | 384 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 214 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 175 |
| 4 | Wipers | 145 |
| 5 | Registration plates | 78 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 68 |
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 | 22.7% | 3,737 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.7% | 1,925 |
| 3 | Other defects | 9.4% | 1,552 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.8% | 632 |
| 5 | Suspension | 3.0% | 491 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.0% | 158 |
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 | 5,233 | 8.2% |
| 30-60k | 8,840 | 10.8% |
| 60-90k | 2,027 | 11.3% |
| 90-120k | 298 | 14.4% |
| 120-150k | 42 | 9.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 7,521 | 10.3% |
| Diesel | 7,068 | 10.0% |
| Petrol | 1,866 | 9.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 33 | 18.2% |
| 2022 | 175 | 8.6% |
| 2023 | 5,496 | 9.6% |
| 2024 | 5,399 | 9.9% |
| 2025 | 5,352 | 10.7% |
What to check before buying a 2020 XC90
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 6.6% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (6.6% 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 (2.2% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£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 2020 Volvo XC90s pass their MOT?
89.9% of the 16,455 2020 Volvo XC90 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Volvo XC90?
Tyres, recorded in 6.6% of tests, followed by brakes (2.2%).
Does the 2020 XC90 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.2% in the 0-30k band to 9.5% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 16,455 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.