2007 Volvo Xc90 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 17,964 MOT tests analysed for the 2007 Volvo Xc90, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension. Its pass rate of 72.9% was below the average for large SUVs of a similar age (76.3%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 28.7% in the 150k+ group versus 15.8% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.6% | 3,341 |
| 2 | Brakes | 16.1% | 2,888 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.5% | 1,707 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.1% | 924 |
| 5 | Steering | 4.8% | 856 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.6% | 651 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 1,866 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 1,506 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 1,150 |
| 4 | Decelerometer (sp) | 1,107 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 1,085 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 873 |
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 | 40.0% | 7,181 |
| 2 | Brakes | 29.4% | 5,285 |
| 3 | Tyres | 26.9% | 4,829 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 22.2% | 3,988 |
| 5 | Other defects | 21.4% | 3,850 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 11.3% | 2,035 |
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 | 38 | 15.8% |
| 30-60k | 159 | 18.2% |
| 60-90k | 1,109 | 21.4% |
| 90-120k | 3,385 | 25.9% |
| 120-150k | 5,601 | 27.1% |
| 150k+ | 7,655 | 28.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 16,445 | 27.3% |
| Petrol | 1,509 | 25.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,349 | 26.8% |
| 2022 | 4,055 | 26.7% |
| 2023 | 3,653 | 26.8% |
| 2024 | 3,224 | 28.7% |
| 2025 | 2,683 | 27.1% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Xc90
Before buying a 2007 Volvo Xc90, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 18.6% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (18.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (16.1% 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.
- Suspension (9.5% 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 2007 Volvo Xc90s pass their MOT?
72.9% of the 17,964 2007 Volvo Xc90 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Volvo Xc90?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.6% of tests, followed by brakes (16.1%).
Does the 2007 Xc90 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.8% in the 0-30k band to 28.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 17,964 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.