CarCostCheck

VOLVO XC90 (2011)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 8,160 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,577

£215/month

MOT Pass Rate

78%

Average

Road Tax

£430

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 25-38

2401cc Petrol

Check Carefully

78% pass rate, £2577/year to run. Close to the national average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft
£4.99

Check a specific VOLVO XC90

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Petrol2401cc15 years old8,160 tests125k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2401cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592
Road Tax

Based on 2401cc

£430
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£500
Total per year£2,577
Per month£215/mo
Per week£50/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

🛡️

Get an insurance quote for this VOLVO XC90

Compare quotes and find the best deal

Reliability Verdict

78% MOT pass rate(Average)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's close to the national average of 82%. It falls below the VOLVO brand average of 87%.

At 15 years old, 78% of VOLVO XC90s from 2011 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 8,160 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 124,635 miles.

Got a VOLVO XC90 you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2011 cars374th of 615(top 61%)
Rank among VOLVO models505th of 635(top 80%)
vs national average-4%(82% avg)
vs 2011 cars average+1%(77% avg)
vs VOLVO average-9%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

124,635

Average miles

vs

111,000

Expected for age

The average 2011 VOLVO XC90 has 124,635 miles on the clock, which is in line with the expected 111,000 miles for a 15-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

Looking at a specific VOLVO XC90?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2020 model with a 91% MOT pass rate, while the 2003 model has the lowest at 72%. The 2011 sits between the two at 78%.

VOLVO XC90 by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202190%4940,659 mi
202091%1,30941,321 mi
201990%9,15450,386 mi
201889%11,63161,269 mi
201788%10,31672,733 mi
201686%10,87984,251 mi
201585%5,49289,253 mi
201481%4,17199,216 mi
201381%4,585108,019 mi
201282%5,327114,883 mi
201178%8,160124,635 mi
201077%11,184130,904 mi
200978%6,349136,576 mi
200876%3,096141,628 mi
200773%5,149147,081 mi
200673%5,088150,799 mi
200573%6,336159,047 mi
200472%4,432161,221 mi
200372%1,520152,528 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Check a Specific Volvo Xc90

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

About the 2011 VOLVO XC90

The 2011 VOLVO XC90 is a premium with a 2401cc petrol engine. 8,160 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2011, the average MOT pass rate is 77%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 124,635 miles at 15 years old, VOLVO XC90 owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2011 VOLVO XC90 Fuel Costs

The 2401cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,592 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2011 VOLVO XC90?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,577 215/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £430 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 78% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

VOLVO XC90 Reliability Trend

Newer VOLVO XC90s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 11 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2011 VOLVO XC90

At 15 years old, the VOLVO XC90 is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 91%. With 8,160 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2011 VOLVO XC90's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 15 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Oil Consumption

Medium risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 125k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Engine Mounts

Medium risk

Worn engine mounts cause excessive vibration and movement. Replacement costs £150-£400 per mount. Check for vibration at idle with the bonnet open.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2011 VOLVO XC90 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
VOLVO XC90(2011)78%£1592£430Grp 25-38£2577
NISSAN QASHQAI(2011)69%£1327£135Grp 18-32£2217-£360
AUDI A3(2010)77%£1327£135Grp 18-32£2017-£560
RENAULT CLIO(2010)69%£1327£135Grp 18-32£2217-£360
VAUXHALL INSIGNIA(2011)77%£1592£250Grp 30-42£2397-£180

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Related Volvo Models

Explore other Volvo cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Volvo Xc90.

Check a specific VOLVO XC90

Enter the reg to see its MOT history, mileage check, and predicted costs.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Premium History Check

Buying a VOLVO XC90? Our premium check covers:

  • Stolen check (PNC)
  • Outstanding finance
  • Write-off history (Cat A/B/N/S)
  • Previous owners count
Just £4.99 per check

Competitors charge £10-£20 for the same data

Share this page

X
GB