2005 · 19 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2005 Volvo XC90 MOT pass rate and common faults

2,921 MOT tests in 2024. 55.2% passed first time, compared with 56.5% for all cars the same age.

98Below average
Passed first time55.2%
Failed or needed repairs44.8%
Typical mileage at test156,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 2,921 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Position lamp: not working7.4%
  2. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect6.2%
  3. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn5.2%
  4. Rbt (sp): efficiency less than 50% of the required value4.8%
    179 marked dangerous
  5. Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault4.7%
  6. Decelerometer (sp): efficiency below requirements4.3%
  7. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements4.1%
  8. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn3.9%
  9. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play3.8%
  10. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.5%
    188 marked dangerous

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics42.8%
  2. Brakes33.7%
  3. Suspension24.2%
  4. Steering7.5%
  5. Body & chassis7.1%
  6. Tyres6.7%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.2%
  8. Emissions & leaks2.5%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn24.2%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm22.0%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened14.7%
  4. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened13.7%
  5. Non-component advisories: Play in steering rack inner joint(s)13.5%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: position lamp: not working. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2005 Volvo XC90?

In 2024, 55.2% of 2005 Volvo XC90 cars passed their MOT first time, across 2,921 tests. The average for all 19-year-old cars was 56.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2005 Volvo XC90?

The most common failure reasons were position lamp: not working; headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect; suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2005 Volvo XC90 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 98, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).