Volvo 900 Series MOT failures and reliability
In 2023 the Volvo 900 Series took 3,421 MOT tests in Britain and passed 64% of them first time, below the national average of 71% for all cars. The figures below come from the DVSA's record of every test, so they show what testers actually found on these cars rather than what owners report.
- MOT tests in 2023
- 3,421
- First-time pass rate
- 64%
- All cars
- 71%
What the 900 Series fails on
Share of tests with at least one failure in each area, against the figure for all cars.
- Lights and electrics17.4% (all cars 11.3%)
- Brakes11.7% (all cars 6.8%)
- Exhaust and emissions9.5% (all cars 3.1%)
- Suspension9.4% (all cars 9.0%)
- Body and structure9.1% (all cars 3.5%)
- Visibility6.4% (all cars 4.8%)
- Steering3.9% (all cars 1.8%)
- Tyres3.9% (all cars 6.4%)
Most common failure items
Share of tests on which each item was recorded.
- Position lamp: not working 4.7%
- Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases 4.6%
- Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength 3.7%
- Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements 3.2%
- Stop lamp: not working 3.2%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively 3.0%
- Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits 2.4%
- Horn: not working 2.2%
Most common advisories
- Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive 19.4%
- Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 12.5%
- Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases 11.6%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened 10.5%
- Tyres, condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing 9.2%
- Registration plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread 7.9%
- Coil spring: corroded 6.6%
- Non-component advisories: Play in steering rack inner joint(s) 6.5%
Pass rate by year of registration
Older cars fail more often whatever the model, so compare a car with others of the same age.
| First registered | Tests | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 306 | 69% |
| 1994 | 300 | 63% |
| 1995 | 574 | 63% |
| 1996 | 567 | 66% |
| 1997 | 795 | 61% |
Check a particular 900 Series
Model figures tell you what to look out for. To see one car's own MOT history, mileage and tax, enter its registration.
Other Volvo models
- Volvo XC60
- Volvo V40
- Volvo XC90
- Volvo XC40
- Volvo V70
- Volvo V60
- Volvo V50
- Volvo C30
- Volvo S60
- Volvo S40
- Volvo XC70
- Volvo V90
- Volvo C70
- Volvo S80
- Volvo S90
- Volvo 800 Series
- Volvo 240
Source: Department for Transport, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023, cars and light vans, normal tests only. Pass rates are first-time passes; a pass after repair at the test station counts as a fail. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.