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Volvo S90 reliability by build year

Coverage 2016-present1 named generationSaloonHYBRID ELECTRIC / PETROL / DIESEL
At a glance

Volvo S90 built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Volvo S90 models built around 2018 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Check a Volvo S90 by number plate

Key figure

12% of MOT tests on Volvo S90 models built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 14% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Volvo S90 models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Volvo S90's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your S90's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

S90 Mk2

Mk2 (2016-present)

Too close to call between ratings
DIESELPETROLHYBRID ELECTRIC

12.3% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

From 2,355 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Pre

Older models (before 2005)

PETROL

30.7% fail rate, built before 2000 (over 25 years old)

Likely between 22.0% and 41.0%

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 25.2%)

From 88 MOT tests at this ageLimited data

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Volvo S90.

See every build year for the Volvo S90

Side-by-side

Volvo S90 generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
Mk2 (2016-present)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings12.3%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 2,355 MOT tests at this age
Older models (before 2005)
No rating
No rating30.7%likely between 22.0% and 41.0%built before 2000 (over 25 years old)from 88 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the S90, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Volvo S90 fail rate by age

This chart combines every Volvo S90 ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
2999.0%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
56110.2%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
1,58110.3%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
2,64911.0%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
2,35512.3%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
1,04014.2%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
13315.0%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
8830.7%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 25+ years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Volvo S90 stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other Volvo models

2nd of 8

2nd lowest fail rate of 8 Volvo models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

Close to the middle third

Against other saloons

9th of 29

9th lowest fail rate of 29 saloons with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

Close to the middle third

Against the UK average

12.3%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Volvo S90 models

These issues come from 7-year-old Volvo S90 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    19.2%
    Advisory: 692Fail: 58 (8% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    14.8%
    Advisory: 403Fail: 70 (15% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    6.8%
    Advisory: 169Fail: 54 (24% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    6.0%
    Advisory: 201Fail: 2 (1% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Track rod end ball joint has slight play

    4.6%
    Advisory: 90Fail: 27 (23% of the times it was found)

Based on 2,355 MOT tests on 7-year-old Volvo S90 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Volvo S90 models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelEnough data
  1. Brakes + Tyres39%
  2. Suspension + Tyres24%
  3. Brakes + Suspension19%
  4. Other + Tyres11%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 530 MOT tests on Volvo S90 cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Volvo S90.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

18 recalls in all

15 of the 18 Volvo S90 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 2 Critical
  • 13 more

Top concerns

  • SPA1 cell modules
  • A software error may prevent the engine control module from starting the engine
  • BCM2 SW – safety notice

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other saloons to compare

Other saloons to compare

  1. 1

    Audi A6

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.2%
    Dangerous
    4.7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    79.1%

    Fewer dangerous faults: 4.7%, against 5.9% for the Volvo S90.

    4 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    10,105 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Jaguar XE

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.6%
    Dangerous
    6%

    No clear edge over the Volvo S90 on these figures.

    8,135 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    BMW 5 Series

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    3.6%
    Dangerous
    4.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    82.6%

    Fewer dangerous faults: 4.9%, against 5.9% for the Volvo S90.

    12 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    19,436 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Audi A4

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    17.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    3.4%
    Dangerous
    5.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    85%

    Fewer dangerous faults: 5.4%, against 5.9% for the Volvo S90.

    4 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    21,428 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Volvo S90 across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. It has the 2nd lowest fail rate of 8 Volvo models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 2,355 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Volvo S90 ever sold: 8,706 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 2,355 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.