Is the 2021 VOLVO XC90 reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 90% of VOLVO XC90s from 2021 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 49 tests. That's 8 points above the national average of 82%.

How much does a 2021 VOLVO XC90 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,777 (£148/month), including £1327 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2021 VOLVO XC90?

The 2021 VOLVO XC90 has a 90% MOT pass rate based on 49 tests in 2026. This ranks 2631 out of 3373 cars from 2021.

Which year VOLVO XC90 is most reliable?

The 2020 VOLVO XC90 has the highest MOT pass rate at 91%. The least reliable year is 2003 at 72%.

What is the average mileage for a 2021 VOLVO XC90?

The average mileage for a 2021 VOLVO XC90 is 40,659 miles, which is in line with the expected 37,000 miles for a 5-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

VOLVO XC90 (2021)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 49 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,777

£148/month

MOT Pass Rate

90%

Excellent

Road Tax

£195

Flat rate/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1969cc Petrol

Great Choice

90% pass rate, £1777/year to run. 8 points above 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.

Petrol1969cc5 years old49 tests41k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1969cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327

Road Tax

Flat rate (post-2017)

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,777

Per month£148/mo

Per week£34/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

90% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 8 points above the national average of 82%.

At 5 years old, 90% of VOLVO XC90s from 2021 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 49 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 40,659 miles.

Got a VOLVO XC90 you're looking at?

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

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2021 cars2631th of 3,373(top 78%)

Rank among VOLVO models319th of 635(top 50%)

vs national average+8%(82% avg)

vs 2021 cars average-2%(92% avg)

vs VOLVO average+3%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

40,659

Average miles

37,000

Expected for age

The average 2021 VOLVO XC90 has 40,659 miles on the clock, which is in line with the expected 37,000 miles for a 5-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.

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 2021 sits between the two at 90%.

VOLVO XC90 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	90%	49	40,659 mi
2020	91%	1,309	41,321 mi
2019	90%	9,154	50,386 mi
2018	89%	11,631	61,269 mi
2017	88%	10,316	72,733 mi
2016	86%	10,879	84,251 mi
2015	85%	5,492	89,253 mi
2014	81%	4,171	99,216 mi
2013	81%	4,585	108,019 mi
2012	82%	5,327	114,883 mi
2011	78%	8,160	124,635 mi
2010	77%	11,184	130,904 mi
2009	78%	6,349	136,576 mi
2008	76%	3,096	141,628 mi
2007	73%	5,149	147,081 mi
2006	73%	5,088	150,799 mi
2005	73%	6,336	159,047 mi
2004	72%	4,432	161,221 mi
2003	72%	1,520	152,528 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

LAND ROVER DISCOVERY SPORT R-DYN SE D A

2020 · 1999cc Petrol

£1,772/year

90%

same

BMW 520D M SPORT MHEV AUTO

2021 · 1995cc Petrol

£1,922/year

89%

-1%

BMW 320D M SPORT MHEV AUTO

2021 · 1995cc Petrol

£1,772/year

91%

+1%

VOLVO XC90 R-DESIGN B5 MHEV AWD AUTO

2021 · 1969cc Petrol

£1,772/year

90%

same

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.

About the 2021 VOLVO XC90

The 2021 VOLVO XC90 is a premium with a 1969cc petrol engine. 49 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 78% of 2021 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 40,659 miles at 5 years old, VOLVO XC90 owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2021 VOLVO XC90 Fuel Costs

The 1969cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2021 VOLVO XC90?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,777 (£148/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 90% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

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 2021 VOLVO XC90

At 5 years old, the VOLVO XC90 offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost. If you're flexible on year, the 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 91%. Note: with only 49 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2021 VOLVO XC90's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

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 2021 VOLVO XC90 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
VOLVO XC90(2021)	90%	£1327	£195	Grp 18-32	£1777
LAND ROVER DISCOVERY SPORT R-DYN SE D A(2020)	90%	£1327	£190	Grp 18-32	£1772-£5
BMW 520D M SPORT MHEV AUTO(2021)	89%	£1327	£190	Grp 18-32	£1922+£145
BMW 320D M SPORT MHEV AUTO(2021)	91%	£1327	£190	Grp 18-32	£1772-£5
VOLVO XC90 R-DESIGN B5 MHEV AWD AUTO(2021)	90%	£1327	£190	Grp 18-32	£1772-£5

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.