2020 Volvo Xc90 Inscription T8 Phev A — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 591 MOT tests analysed for the 2020 Volvo Xc90 Inscription T8 Phev A, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility. Its pass rate of 91.0% was in line with the average for cars of a similar age (90.6%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 13.4% in the 60-90k group versus 4.1% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.1% | 36 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.5% | 9 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.2% | 7 |
| 4 | Seat belts & restraints | 1.0% | 6 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.7% | 4 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.5% | 3 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 13 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 8 |
| 3 | Wipers | 7 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 5 |
| 5 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp | 2 |
| 6 | Registration plates | 2 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 25.0% | 148 |
| 2 | Other defects | 12.3% | 73 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.5% | 50 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.4% | 26 |
| 5 | Suspension | 3.4% | 20 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.7% | 4 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 170 | 4.1% |
| 30-60k | 319 | 11.0% |
| 60-90k | 82 | 13.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| HYBRID ELECTRIC (CLEAN) | 377 | 10.1% |
| Hybrid | 214 | 7.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 198 | 7.6% |
| 2024 | 194 | 10.8% |
| 2025 | 183 | 9.3% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Xc90 Inscription T8 Phev A
Before buying a 2020 Volvo Xc90 Inscription T8 Phev A, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 6.1% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (6.1% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Lighting & signalling (1.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (1.2% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2020 Volvo Xc90 Inscription T8 Phev As pass their MOT?
91.0% of the 591 2020 Volvo Xc90 Inscription T8 Phev A MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Volvo Xc90 Inscription T8 Phev A?
Tyres, recorded in 6.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.5%).
Does the 2020 Xc90 Inscription T8 Phev A get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.1% in the 0-30k band to 13.4% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 591 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.