Volvo XC90

What fails its inspection

Great Britain's MOT record for the 2010 2.4 diesel. 1,736 of 7,580 tests failed, 23%.

Better than 55% of 2010 cars. The typical one fails 24%, across 955 models with enough tests behind them to say.

The defects inspectors cite

• A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
• Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement
• Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value
• A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
• Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
• Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements

Where it stands out against its peers

• Brakes: failed more often than 97% of 2010 cars — 55% of its 1,736 failed tests, where an ordinary 2010 car has 29%.

Same model year only, at least 30 peer cars, zeros included. Every car has a worst part; this shows which, and how far from ordinary it is. A high share means more to check, not a verdict.

NHTSA's investigations are American; no European regulator publishes an equivalent record, so this section has nothing to draw on for a European car. There is no European equivalent of the service-bulletin register either.

Before you buy one

Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.

• Brakes — 55% of its failures
  • Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement
  • Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value
• Tyres and wheels — 22% of its failures
  • Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
• Suspension — 20% of its failures
  • A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
• Lights and electrics — 47% of its failures
  • A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
  • Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements
• Visibility — 11% of its failures
• Body and structure — 9% of its failures

When it starts failing

At 200k+ miles this one fails 23% of its inspections, against the 28% an ordinary car of the same age fails.

7,548 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.

Half of these have more than 120k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.

Specification

Recalls

Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.

• A12/00059/23

  Due to a manufacturing defect, there may be a loose item within the steering gear. This can cause the steering to lock while driving, increasing the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

  Recall of the product from end users

• A12/0058/17

  The front passenger seat belt buckle can be incorrectly fastened, with the consequence that the buckle can separate from the seat belt clasp in the event of an accident.

  Recall of the product from end users

• A12/00653/21

  When liquid/droplets are present on the rear seat control display, there´s a risk that the signal to the display is maintained and perceived by the system as a “constant” touch. As a result, the front seat could be inadvertently moved until its end position, increasing the risk of injury.

  Recall of the product from end users

• A12/01385/21

  The welding connection between the motor’s rotor shaft and the magnet package in the hydraulic unit of the brake system may be partially or fully missing.As a result, the brake boost, the anti-lock braking system (ABS) and the electronic stability control (ESC) could be disabled, resulting in less deceleration than normal, leading to increased risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the requirements laid down in the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of Motor Vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

  Recall of the product from end users

• A12/0228/19

  A software problem has been detected in the communication module of the emergency call system. As a consequence, incorrect location information might be sent to the emergency services in the event of an accident.

  Recall of the product from end users

• A12/02342/24

  The nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions are above the regulatory limits. Excessive NOx emissions pose a risk to the environment. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

  Recall of the product from end users

• A12/0326/17

  The bolts that secure the inflatable curtain airbags in place may break, possibly resulting in the inflatable curtain airbag deploying improperly in the event of a crash.

  Recall of the product from end users

• A12/0885/15

  The power-steering hose may come into direct contact with the engine cooling fan. This could lead to a leakage of servo oil and a loss of power-steering assistance.

  Recall of the product from end users

2 more campaigns have been filed against this model. A dealer can check by VIN which apply to one car.