2012 Volvo Xc90 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 18,010 MOT tests analysed for the 2012 Volvo Xc90, the most common recorded failure areas were brakes, lighting & signalling and tyres. Its pass rate of 80.5% was below the average for large SUVs of a similar age (82.0%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 22.7% in the 150k+ group versus 10.8% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 11.5% | 2,074 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 9.7% | 1,746 |
| 3 | Tyres | 5.0% | 897 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.1% | 552 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.7% | 487 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.1% | 194 |
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 | 1,040 |
| 2 | Decelerometer (sp) | 805 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 626 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 597 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 584 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 331 |
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 | 24.7% | 4,453 |
| 2 | Brakes | 21.0% | 3,779 |
| 3 | Suspension | 18.3% | 3,289 |
| 4 | Other defects | 16.6% | 2,992 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 4.6% | 824 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.2% | 749 |
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 | 65 | 10.8% |
| 30-60k | 1,224 | 12.0% |
| 60-90k | 4,743 | 17.4% |
| 90-120k | 6,082 | 20.5% |
| 120-150k | 3,738 | 21.5% |
| 150k+ | 2,157 | 22.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 17,851 | 19.5% |
| Petrol | 159 | 20.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,628 | 18.1% |
| 2022 | 3,681 | 19.6% |
| 2023 | 3,647 | 20.0% |
| 2024 | 3,546 | 19.6% |
| 2025 | 3,508 | 20.5% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Xc90
Before buying a 2012 Volvo Xc90, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Brakes accounted for 11.5% of tests for this year.
- Brakes (11.5% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (9.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (5.0% 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.
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 2012 Volvo Xc90s pass their MOT?
80.5% of the 18,010 2012 Volvo Xc90 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Volvo Xc90?
Brakes, recorded in 11.5% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (9.7%).
Does the 2012 Xc90 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.8% in the 0-30k band to 22.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 18,010 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.