2012 · 12 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2012 Volvo XC90 MOT pass rate and common faults

2,841 MOT tests in 2024. 69.7% passed first time, compared with 64.3% for all cars the same age.

108Well above average
Passed first time69.7%
Failed or needed repairs30.3%
Typical mileage at test111,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 2,841 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Position lamp: not working5.8%
  2. Decelerometer (sp): efficiency below requirements3.2%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.0%
    145 marked dangerous
  4. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements2.8%
  5. Rbt (sp): efficiency less than 50% of the required value2.2%
    71 marked dangerous
  6. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.0%
  7. Decelerometer (sp): efficiency less than 50% of the required value1.8%
    56 marked dangerous
  8. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.8%
  9. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.5%
    57 marked dangerous

Problem areas

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

  1. Brakes19.5%
  2. Lights & electrics14.9%
  3. Tyres7.2%
  4. Suspension5.0%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)2.6%
  6. Body & chassis1.4%
  7. Emissions & leaks1.1%
  8. Steering1.0%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm20.8%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened13.4%
  3. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn13.1%
  4. Non-component advisories: Play in steering rack inner joint(s)8.8%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick5.2%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. 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 2012 Volvo XC90?

In 2024, 69.7% of 2012 Volvo XC90 cars passed their MOT first time, across 2,841 tests. The average for all 12-year-old cars was 64.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2012 Volvo XC90?

The most common failure reasons were position lamp: not working; decelerometer (sp): efficiency below requirements; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. The biggest problem area was brakes.

Is the 2012 Volvo XC90 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 108, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).