2016 Volvo XC90 MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 79.9% of Volvo XC90s first used in 2016 passed their MOT first time, against 74.9% for all cars first used in 2016. Across 15,673 XC90 first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were tyres, steering and suspension.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Volvo XC90s first used in 2016 (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
How the 2016 Volvo XC90 MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, XC90s first used in 2016 against all cars first used in 2016 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the XC90 figure was 5.0 points higher.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2016 XC90 | All cars first used 2016 | XC90 first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 83.4% | 82.7% | 5,314 |
| 2022 | 80.5% | 80.9% | 5,266 |
| 2023 | 80.0% | 78.6% | 5,230 |
| 2024 | 78.7% | 76.7% | 5,229 |
| 2025 | 79.9% | 74.9% | 5,214 |
Common 2016 Volvo XC90 MOT failures
Share of the 3,209 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%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play | 23.4% | 750 |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | 14.4% | 461 |
| Ball joint: excessively worn | 11.2% | 361 |
| Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 10.8% | 347 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 7.6% | 243 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for an XC90 in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ball joint: excessively worn | Ball joint replacement | £90 | £60–£150 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2016 Volvo XC90 before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
- Steering. Worth feeling for play or knocks in the steering on the test drive, and asking when the tracking was last checked.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
Common 2016 Volvo XC90 MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2016 XC90s, as a share of all 15,673 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 14.0% | 2,189 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 12.4% | 1,943 |
| Track rod end: ball joint has slight play | 10.4% | 1,630 |
| Ball joint: has slight play | 7.6% | 1,188 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 5.5% | 860 |
Questions about the 2016 Volvo XC90 MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2016 Volvo XC90?
In 2025, 79.9% of XC90s first used in 2016 passed their MOT first time, against 74.9% for all cars first used in 2016. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2016 XC90 most often fail its MOT on?
Tyres (in 30.2% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), steering (29.5%) and suspension (20.1%). The single most common item was “Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play” (23.4%).
How often does a 2016 Volvo XC90 fail its MOT?
In 2025, 20.1% of first tests on XC90s first used in 2016 did not pass first time: 18.3% failed, and a further 1.8% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 3,209 of 15,673 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2016 Volvo XC90 MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 14.0% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (12.4%), “Track rod end: ball joint has slight play” (10.4%), “Ball joint: has slight play” (7.6%) and “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (5.5%).
Is a 2016 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 83.4% in 2021 to 79.9% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2016
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2016 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2016 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2016 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2016 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2016 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics
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