2021 Volvo XC90 — MOT failures & pass rate
14,962 MOT tests on the 2021 Volvo XC90 are in this dataset, and 89.8% of them passed. Large SUVs of a similar age fail 8.9% of the time, so this is 1.3pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
Tyres dominates the failure mix at 7.8% of all tests — 6.2 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are brake pads, tread depth and wipers — brake pads alone was recorded 240 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2021 XC90 fails 9.1% of the time in the 0-30k band and 10.3% at 150k+, a spread of only 1.2 points.
Fuel type barely separates them — diesel fails 10.2% of the time against 10.2% for hybrid.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 23.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 3.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 10.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 7.8% | 1,163 |
| 2 | Brakes | 1.6% | 243 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.3% | 194 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 1.1% | 160 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.3% | 51 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.3% | 46 |
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 | 240 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 225 |
| 3 | Wipers | 172 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 140 |
| 5 | Registration plates | 46 |
| 6 | Washers | 38 |
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 | 23.4% | 3,494 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.7% | 1,599 |
| 3 | Other defects | 9.3% | 1,399 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.7% | 547 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.4% | 352 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.5% | 81 |
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 | 5,038 | 9.1% |
| 30-60k | 8,383 | 10.4% |
| 60-90k | 1,244 | 12.1% |
| 90-120k | 170 | 13.5% |
| 120-150k | 59 | 13.6% |
| 150k+ | 68 | 10.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 8,325 | 10.2% |
| Diesel | 6,549 | 10.2% |
| Petrol | 88 | 9.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 30 | 3.3% |
| 2023 | 126 | 7.1% |
| 2024 | 7,368 | 10.4% |
| 2025 | 7,425 | 10.0% |
What to check before buying a 2021 XC90
On a 2021 XC90, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 7.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (7.8% 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 (1.6% 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 2021 Volvo XC90s pass their MOT?
89.8% of the 14,962 2021 Volvo XC90 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Volvo XC90?
Tyres, recorded in 7.8% of tests, followed by brakes (1.6%).
Does the 2021 XC90 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.1% in the 0-30k band to 10.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 14,962 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.