Volvo 900 Series
From 9,572 MOT tests. Below average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Pass rate by fuel type
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are exhaust system leaking or insecure, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, a suspension pin and bush or joint excessively worn. The top issue, exhaust system leaking or insecure, caused 414 failures in 2024. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| exhaust system leaking or insecure | 414 |
| the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 402 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 298 |
| a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 281 |
| emissions levels exceed default limits | 235 |
| a battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier | 232 |
| wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 232 |
| stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 211 |
| significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake | 208 |
| vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced | 197 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 37.4% of 900 Series failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 18.7% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. Breakdown cover may be worth considering for this model. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £146.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 70.6% | exhaust system leaking or insecure, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired |
| 1997 | 71.3% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, exhaust system leaking or insecure |
| 1996 | 70.5% | exhaust system leaking or insecure, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
| 1995 | 72.2% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, exhaust system leaking or insecure |
4 earlier years
| 1994 | 61.3% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, exhaust system leaking or insecure |
| 1993 | 70.9% | emissions levels exceed default limits, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired |
| 1992 | 64.8% | exhaust system leaking or insecure, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired |
| 1991 | 72.1% | windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
Typical mileage
Half of all 900 Seriess tested had between 134,026 and 197,489 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 157,902 median miles, the 900 Series has 0.019 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Volvo models
| Volvo Xc60 | 82.7% |
| Volvo V40 | 79% |
| Volvo Xc90 | 78% |
| Volvo Xc40 | 91.2% |
| Volvo V70 | 72% |
Common questions
What is the Volvo 900 Series MOT pass rate?
The Volvo 900 Series has a 69.9% MOT pass rate based on 9,572 real MOT tests. This is below the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Volvo 900 Series?
The most common MOT failure on the Volvo 900 Series is exhaust system leaking or insecure, which caused 414 failures. Other common issues include the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired.
What is the typical mileage of a Volvo 900 Series at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Volvo 900 Series is 157,902 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 134,026 and 197,489 miles.
Buying a used 900 Series?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 69.9% pass rate and an average repair bill of £146 when things go wrong, budget accordingly. 37.4% of failures on this model could actually strand you, so breakdown cover may be worth considering.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.