2005 Volvo Xc90 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 23,222 MOT tests analysed for the 2005 Volvo Xc90, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension. Its pass rate of 71.3% was below the average for large SUVs of a similar age (75.1%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.6% | 4,794 |
| 2 | Brakes | 17.0% | 3,946 |
| 3 | Suspension | 12.8% | 2,971 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.8% | 1,124 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.6% | 1,061 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.3% | 989 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 2,511 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 2,430 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 1,924 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 1,800 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 1,610 |
| 6 | Decelerometer (sp) | 1,291 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 44.4% | 10,311 |
| 2 | Tyres | 26.9% | 6,236 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 24.5% | 5,695 |
| 4 | Brakes | 23.9% | 5,551 |
| 5 | Other defects | 21.3% | 4,938 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.4% | 2,887 |
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 | 61 | 29.5% |
| 30-60k | 195 | 16.4% |
| 60-90k | 905 | 23.1% |
| 90-120k | 3,274 | 27.6% |
| 120-150k | 6,458 | 28.1% |
| 150k+ | 12,305 | 30.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 20,495 | 29.0% |
| Petrol | 2,722 | 26.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,074 | 28.5% |
| 2022 | 5,534 | 28.9% |
| 2023 | 4,713 | 29.2% |
| 2024 | 3,855 | 28.7% |
| 2025 | 3,046 | 28.1% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Xc90
Before buying a 2005 Volvo Xc90, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 20.6% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (20.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (17.0% 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.
- Suspension (12.8% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
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 2005 Volvo Xc90s pass their MOT?
71.3% of the 23,222 2005 Volvo Xc90 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Volvo Xc90?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.6% of tests, followed by brakes (17.0%).
Does the 2005 Xc90 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 29.5% in the 0-30k band to 30.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 23,222 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.