2014 Volvo XC90 MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 69.4% of Volvo XC90s first used in 2014 passed their MOT first time, against 68.6% for all cars first used in 2014. Across 6,857 XC90 first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were brakes, lamps and electrical equipment and tyres.

This page analyses first MOT tests for Volvo XC90s first used in 2014 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.

Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026

Passed first time, 2025
69.4%
of 2,262 first tests; all cars first used in 2014: 68.6%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
6,857
first tests, 2023–2025; 2,262 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
32.9%
of 2,262 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
104,500
middle half: 85,000–127,500 miles; all cars first used in 2014: 80,500

How the 2014 Volvo XC90 MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, XC90s first used in 2014 against all cars first used in 2014 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the XC90 figure was in line with the all-cars figure.

2014 XC90All cars first used in 2014
60%70%80%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 2014, test year 2021: 76.3%All cars first used in 2014, test year 2022: 74.1%All cars first used in 2014, test year 2023: 71.7%All cars first used in 2014, test year 2024: 69.9%All cars first used in 2014, test year 2025: 68.6%2014 XC90, test year 2021: 76.8%2014 XC90, test year 2022: 73.3%2014 XC90, test year 2023: 73.2%2014 XC90, test year 2024: 70.6%2014 XC90, test year 2025: 69.4%69.4%68.6%
View this chart as a table
Test year2014 XC90All cars first used 2014XC90 first tests
202176.8%76.3%2,318
202273.3%74.1%2,302
202373.2%71.7%2,317
202470.6%69.9%2,278
202569.4%68.6%2,262

Common 2014 Volvo XC90 MOT failures

Share of the 1,984 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.

Brakes44.9%
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment43.0%
Tyres21.7%
Visibility10.3%
Suspension10.0%
Steering4.5%
Body, chassis, structure3.7%

Most common failure items

DVSA failure itemShare of failed first testsTests
Position lamp: not working22.4%445
Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm10.1%201
Parking brake efficiency (sp): efficiency below requirements9.5%188
Parking brake efficiency (sp): efficiency below requirements7.7%152
Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords6.9%137

Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.

What to check on a 2014 Volvo XC90 before buying

The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.

  1. Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.
  2. Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
  3. Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.

Common 2014 Volvo XC90 MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2014 XC90s, as a share of all 6,857 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge20.3%1,394
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened10.9%747
Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement9.9%681
Brake pads: wearing thin6.3%431
Play in steering rack inner joint(s)5.1%350

Questions about the 2014 Volvo XC90 MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 2014 Volvo XC90?

In 2025, 69.4% of XC90s first used in 2014 passed their MOT first time, against 68.6% for all cars first used in 2014. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

What does a 2014 XC90 most often fail its MOT on?

Brakes (in 44.9% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), lamps and electrical equipment (43.0%) and tyres (21.7%). The single most common item was “Position lamp: not working” (22.4%).

How often does a 2014 Volvo XC90 fail its MOT?

In 2025, 30.6% of first tests on XC90s first used in 2014 did not pass first time: 24.9% failed, and a further 5.7% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 1,984 of 6,857 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 2014 Volvo XC90 MOT advisories?

“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 20.3% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (10.9%), “Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement” (9.9%), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (6.3%) and “Play in steering rack inner joint(s)” (5.1%).

Is a 2014 Volvo XC90 reliable?

An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 76.8% in 2021 to 69.4% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 2014

The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.

2014 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2014 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2014 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2014 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2014 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics

How the 2014 Volvo XC90 MOT data is calculated

Every number on this page is calculated by SortedCars from DVSA’s anonymised MOT test data for Great Britain, 2021–2025. “2014 XC90” means a Volvo XC90 whose date of first use falls in 2014 (63, 14 and 64 plates), all trims grouped. Class 4 vehicles, first tests only — retests are not counted. Pass rate = passed ÷ all first tests; a car with a fault fixed during the test (PRS) counts as a fail. Our national first-test pass rate matches DVSA’s published figure (table DVSA/MOT/01) to within 0.04 points in every year. Clean pass = passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded. Mileage is the reading recorded at the test. Comparisons are with all cars first used in 2014, any make or fuel, and are not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use. Failure and advisory item names are DVSA’s own wording. No figure is shown for fewer than 500 tests; an item is shown only if it appears on at least 50 tests and 1% of the base. Pass rates describe a group of cars, not one car: a well-kept example can pass and a neglected one can fail. This page is general information, not advice about any particular vehicle; always have a used car inspected before you buy. SortedCars is not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. You can check any car’s MOT history free on the official service: gov.uk/check-mot-history. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.