2023 Volvo XC90 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 309 MOT tests, the 2023 Volvo XC90 recorded a 95.8% pass rate. That is 2.6 percentage points better than large SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 6.9%. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (3.6%) and brakes (0.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are brake pads, wipers and tread depth — brake pads alone was recorded 4 times.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.6% | 11 |
| 2 | Brakes | 0.7% | 2 |
| 3 | Visibility | 0.7% | 2 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 0.3% | 1 |
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 | 4 |
| 2 | Wipers | 3 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 2 |
| 4 | Decelerometer (sp) | 1 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 1 |
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 | 7.4% | 23 |
| 2 | Brakes | 2.6% | 8 |
| 3 | Other defects | 2.3% | 7 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.3% | 4 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.0% | 3 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.0% | 3 |
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 | 221 | 3.6% |
| 30-60k | 74 | 4.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 217 | 3.2% |
| Diesel | 78 | 7.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 48 | 0.0% |
| 2025 | 244 | 5.3% |
What to check before buying a 2023 XC90
On a 2023 XC90, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 3.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (3.6% 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 (0.7% 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 (0.7% 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 2023 Volvo XC90s pass their MOT?
95.8% of the 309 2023 Volvo XC90 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 4.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2023 Volvo XC90?
Tyres, recorded in 3.6% of tests, followed by brakes (0.7%).
Does the 2023 XC90 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 3.6% in the 0-30k band to 4.0% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 309 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.