2017 Volvo XC90 MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 82.7% of Volvo XC90s first used in 2017 passed their MOT first time, against 78.2% for all cars first used in 2017. Across 16,504 XC90 first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were tyres, brakes and steering.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Volvo XC90s first used in 2017 (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 2017 Volvo XC90 MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, XC90s first used in 2017 against all cars first used in 2017 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the XC90 figure was 4.5 points higher.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2017 XC90 | All cars first used 2017 | XC90 first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 86.4% | 85.9% | 5,619 |
| 2022 | 84.4% | 83.9% | 5,561 |
| 2023 | 83.3% | 81.7% | 5,506 |
| 2024 | 82.9% | 79.8% | 5,510 |
| 2025 | 82.7% | 78.2% | 5,488 |
Common 2017 Volvo XC90 MOT failures
Share of the 2,812 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | 17.5% | 491 |
| Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 14.5% | 408 |
| Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play | 9.2% | 259 |
| Ball joint: excessively worn | 9.1% | 255 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 9.0% | 252 |
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 2017 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.
- 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.
- Steering. Worth feeling for play or knocks in the steering on the test drive, and asking when the tracking was last checked.
Common 2017 Volvo XC90 MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2017 XC90s, as a share of all 16,504 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 14.0% | 2,314 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 12.6% | 2,076 |
| Ball joint: has slight play | 6.0% | 995 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 5.3% | 867 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 4.9% | 815 |
Questions about the 2017 Volvo XC90 MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2017 Volvo XC90?
In 2025, 82.7% of XC90s first used in 2017 passed their MOT first time, against 78.2% for all cars first used in 2017. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2017 XC90 most often fail its MOT on?
Tyres (in 39.4% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), brakes (22.0%) and steering (13.8%). The single most common item was “Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick” (17.5%).
How often does a 2017 Volvo XC90 fail its MOT?
In 2025, 17.3% of first tests on XC90s first used in 2017 did not pass first time: 15.4% failed, and a further 1.9% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 2,812 of 16,504 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2017 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” (12.6%), “Ball joint: has slight play” (6.0%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (5.3%) and “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (4.9%).
Is a 2017 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 86.4% in 2021 to 82.7% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2017
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2017 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2017 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2017 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2017 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics · 2017 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2017 XC90?
The numbers above cover every XC90 first used in 2017 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
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