2021 Volvo Xc90 Rdesign Pro B5 Mhev A — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,195 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Volvo Xc90 Rdesign Pro B5 Mhev A, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, brakes and visibility. Its pass rate of 89.1% was below the average for cars of a similar age (91.2%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 8.0% | 96 |
| 2 | Brakes | 2.1% | 25 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.3% | 16 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 1.1% | 13 |
| 5 | Other defects | 0.4% | 5 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.4% | 5 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake pads | 26 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 15 |
| 3 | Wipers | 14 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 13 |
| 5 | Registration plates | 8 |
| 6 | Headlamp cleaning device | 5 |
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 | 21.6% | 258 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.8% | 165 |
| 3 | Other defects | 8.5% | 102 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.5% | 30 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.1% | 25 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 1.4% | 17 |
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 | 352 | 11.9% |
| 30-60k | 749 | 10.2% |
| 60-90k | 88 | 12.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 881 | 11.0% |
| Hybrid | 311 | 10.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 594 | 11.9% |
| 2025 | 593 | 10.0% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Xc90 Rdesign Pro B5 Mhev A
Before buying a 2021 Volvo Xc90 Rdesign Pro B5 Mhev A, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 8.0% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (8.0% 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.
- Brakes (2.1% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Visibility (1.3% 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 2021 Volvo Xc90 Rdesign Pro B5 Mhev As pass their MOT?
89.1% of the 1,195 2021 Volvo Xc90 Rdesign Pro B5 Mhev A MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Volvo Xc90 Rdesign Pro B5 Mhev A?
Tyres, recorded in 8.0% of tests, followed by brakes (2.1%).
Does the 2021 Xc90 Rdesign Pro B5 Mhev A get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.9% in the 0-30k band to 12.5% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,195 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.