Diesel Volvo V90: MOT pass rate

84.5% of diesel Volvo V90s pass the MOT first time, measured across 8,359 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 69,654.

Diesel against the other Volvo V90 versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Diesels carry DPFs, EGR valves and stricter smoke limits, so emissions and exhaust faults account for failures petrol cars never see.

On the Volvo V90 specifically, petrol is the strongest at 85.9%, and this diesel version sits 0.2 points below the 84.7% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

There is little to choose between fuel types on this model, so decide on running costs and mileage rather than MOT record. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.

Mileage is part of the answer

The average diesel Volvo V90 had covered 69,654 miles at test, against 54,746 for the petrol and 62,734 for the hybrid. That is a shade above the middle of the range, still ordinary wear rather than a red flag, but worth checking against the service book for the car's age.

Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the Volvo V90 page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a diesel Volvo V90

1. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 4.1% of tests (1.93x the national rate for this defect)
2. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 2.4% of tests (1.45x the national rate for this defect)
3. A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 2.2% of tests (1.45x the national rate for this defect)
4. A tyre seriously damaged, 3.7% of tests (1.33x the national rate for this defect)
5. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 2.5% of tests
6. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 1.2% of tests
7. A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 1.2% of tests
8. Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen, 0.7% of tests
9. A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, 0.6% of tests
10. Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 0.4% of tests

From 8,402 DVSA-tracked diesel Volvo V90 tests, 2024, split out from the Volvo V90's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 9.11% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a diesel Volvo V90

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 19.4% of tests (2.08x the national rate for this defect), also fails
2. A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, 1.7% of tests (1.28x the national rate for this defect), also fails
3. Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn, 3.8% of tests (1.2x the national rate for this defect)
4. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 31.6% of tests (1.18x the national rate for this defect), also fails
5. A tyre seriously damaged, 11.3% of tests, also fails
6. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 5.9% of tests
7. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 4.4% of tests
8. Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 1.6% of tests
9. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 1.4% of tests
10. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 1.3% of tests

From 8,402 DVSA-tracked diesel Volvo V90 tests, 2024.

Other Volvo V90 fuel types

• Petrol Volvo V90 - 85.9%
• Hybrid Volvo V90 - 84.9%

All Volvo V90 MOT data · Every model