Volvo Common MOT Problems (2026)
Volvo models ranked by MOT fail rate, with typical issues to check for cars of each age and type. Based on 1,118,511 MOT tests (DVSA data for tests carried out in 2024, retests included).
Average Volvo MOT pass rate: 87%
Check Your Volvo's MOT History
See the specific issues found on your car, plus health score and running cost estimates.
87%
Avg pass rate
13%
Avg fail rate
215
Models tested
Volvo Models with the Most MOT Problems
Highest average fail rates (models with 1,000+ tests, cars registered up to 2021)
| # | Model | Fail Rate | Typical Issues (estimate) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Volvo V50 | 28% | DPF/emissions, Injector wear, Turbo issues | |
| 2 | Volvo S40 | 27% | Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration | |
| 3 | Volvo 240 | 27% | Suspension wear, Brake disc corrosion, Structural corrosion | |
| 4 | Volvo 400 Series | 27% | Suspension wear, Brake disc corrosion, Structural corrosion | |
| 5 | Volvo 900 Series | 26% | Suspension wear, Brake disc corrosion, Structural corrosion |
Most Reliable Volvo Models
Lowest average fail rates (models with 1,000+ tests, cars registered up to 2021). Newer models tend to pass more often simply because they are younger.
All Volvo Models by Fail Rate
Every Volvo model and year with 300+ MOT tests (cars registered up to 2021), sorted by fail rate (highest first). Fuel type is shown as a guide.
| Model | Year | Pass Rate | Fail Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V40 | 2003 | 66% | 33% | |
| V40 | 2004 | 66% | 33% | |
| V40 | 1999 | 67% | 33% | |
| V40 | 2000 | 66% | 32% | |
| S40 | 1999 | 66% | 32% | |
| S40 | 2003 | 67% | 31% | |
| V40 | 2002 | 68% | 31% | |
| 900 Series | 1994 | 69% | 31% | |
| S40 | 2002 | 69% | 31% | |
| 240 | 1993 | 68% | 31% | |
| S40 | 2000 | 65% | 31% | |
| V40 | 1998 | 67% | 31% | |
| V50 | 2006 | 69% | 30% | |
| V50 | 2005 | 69% | 30% | |
| S40 | 2004 | 70% | 30% | |
| V50 | 2004 | 69% | 30% | |
| V50 | 2008 | 70% | 29% | |
| V70 | 2002 | 70% | 29% | |
| S40 | 2005 | 70% | 29% | |
| XC70 | 2004 | 70% | 29% | |
| 900 Series | 1992 | 70% | 29% | |
| S40 | 2001 | 71% | 29% | |
| V50 | 2007 | 71% | 28% | |
| V70 | 2004 | 71% | 28% | |
| V70 | 2003 | 71% | 28% | |
| V70 | 2001 | 71% | 28% | |
| V70 | 1998 | 71% | 28% | |
| V70 | 2000 | 71% | 28% | |
| C70 | 2006 | 71% | 28% | |
| V70 | 1997 | 71% | 28% | |
| XC90 | 2003 | 72% | 28% | |
| V40 | 2001 | 70% | 28% | |
| XC70 | 2003 | 72% | 28% | |
| V50 | 2010 | 72% | 27% | |
| V50 | 2009 | 72% | 27% | |
| V50 | 2011 | 72% | 27% | |
| C30 | 2008 | 72% | 27% | |
| S40 | 2008 | 72% | 27% | |
| XC90 | 2004 | 72% | 27% | |
| C30 | 2007 | 72% | 27% | |
| S40 | 2010 | 72% | 27% | |
| S40 | 2006 | 73% | 27% | |
| V70 | 1999 | 72% | 27% | |
| XC70 | 2005 | 72% | 27% | |
| C70 | 2011 | 73% | 27% | |
| 240 | 1992 | 72% | 27% | |
| S60 | 2001 | 72% | 27% | |
| 800 Series | 1997 | 71% | 27% | |
| 400 Series | 1995 | 71% | 27% | |
| C30 | 2009 | 74% | 26% |
Showing top 50 of 335 model/year combinations. View all Volvo models
Volvo MOT FAQ
What are the most common MOT problems on Volvo cars?
The most common MOT problems on Volvo cars vary by model and age, but typically include lighting defects, suspension wear, brake wear and tyre condition, which are the most common reasons for failure across all makes in DVSA's published MOT statistics. Older Volvo diesels are more prone to exhaust and emissions failures. Of the Volvo models with at least 1,000 tests, the Volvo V50 has the highest average fail rate at 28%.
Which Volvo model is the most reliable?
In our data, the Volvo XC40 Inscription Pro B4 MHEV A has the best MOT record of the Volvo models with at least 1,000 tests: 96% of its 4,150 MOT tests ended in a pass and 4% in a fail. Newer models tend to pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare models of a similar age.
What is the average MOT pass rate for Volvo?
The average MOT pass rate for Volvo is 87%, based on 1,118,511 MOT tests across 215 models (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That means roughly 13% of MOT tests on Volvo cars ended in a fail.
Volvo Model Problem Guides
Typical issues to check, rough repair costs and year-by-year MOT pass rates for each Volvo model
Every Volvo model, A to Z (108)
- Volvo 240
- Volvo 400 Series
- Volvo 700 Series
- Volvo 800 Series
- Volvo 900 Series
- Volvo C30
- Volvo C70
- Volvo S40
- Volvo S60
- Volvo S60 Inscription + T5 Auto
- Volvo S60 R-Design + T5 Auto
- Volvo S70
- Volvo S80
- Volvo S90
- Volvo S90 Momentum + T4 Auto
- Volvo V40
- Volvo V50
- Volvo V60
- Volvo V60 C-Country B5 MHEV Awd Auto
- Volvo V60 Momentum + D4 Auto
- Volvo V60 Momentum + T4 Auto
- Volvo V60 Momentum B3 MHEV Auto
- Volvo V60 Momentum B4 MHEV Auto
- Volvo V60 R-Design + D4 Auto
- Volvo V60 R-Design + T4 Auto
- Volvo V60 R-Design B3 MHEV Auto
- Volvo V60 R-Design B4 MHEV Auto
- Volvo V60 R-Design T6 Recharge Awd A
- Volvo V70
- Volvo V90
- Volvo V90 Cross Country + D4 Awd A
- Volvo V90 Momentum + D4 Auto
- Volvo V90 Momentum + T4 Auto
- Volvo V90 Momentum B4 MHEV Auto
- Volvo V90 R-Design + D4 Auto
- Volvo V90 R-Design + T4 Auto
- Volvo XC40
- Volvo XC40 First Edition P8 Awd
- Volvo XC40 Inscript Pro T5 Rcharge A
- Volvo XC40 Inscription B4 MHEV Auto
- Volvo XC40 Inscription B4 MHEV Awd A
- Volvo XC40 Inscription Pro B4 MHEV A
- Volvo XC40 Inscription T4 Recharge A
- Volvo XC40 Inscription T5 Recharge A
- Volvo XC40 Inscrpt Pro B4 MHEV Awd A
- Volvo XC40 Momentum B4 MHEV Auto
- Volvo XC40 Plus Recharge Twin EV Awd
- Volvo XC40 Pro Recharge Twin EV Awd
- Volvo XC40 R-Design B4 MHEV Auto
- Volvo XC40 R-Design B4 MHEV Awd Auto
- Volvo XC40 R-Design Pro B4 MHEV Auto
- Volvo XC40 R-Design T4 Recharge Auto
- Volvo XC40 R-Design T5 Recharge Auto
- Volvo XC40 Rdesign Pro B4 MHEV Awd A
- Volvo XC40 Rdesign Pro B5 MHEV Awd A
- Volvo XC40 Rdesign Pro T5 Recharge A
- Volvo XC40 Recharge Twin EV Awd
- Volvo XC60
- Volvo XC60 Edition T4 Auto
- Volvo XC60 Inscript T6 Rcharge Awd A
- Volvo XC60 Inscription B4 MHEV Awd A
- Volvo XC60 Inscription B5 MHEV Auto
- Volvo XC60 Inscription B5 MHEV Awd A
- Volvo XC60 Inscription D4 Auto
- Volvo XC60 Inscription Pro B5 Awd A
- Volvo XC60 Inscrp Pro T8RECHRG Awd A
- Volvo XC60 Inscrpt Exp T6RCHRG Awd A
- Volvo XC60 Inscrpt Pro B4 MHEV Awd A
- Volvo XC60 Inscrpt Pro B5 MHEV Awd A
- Volvo XC60 Inscrpt Pro T8 PHEV Awd A
- Volvo XC60 Momentum B4 Awd Auto
- Volvo XC60 Momentum B4 MHEV Auto
- Volvo XC60 Momentum B4 MHEV Awd Auto
- Volvo XC60 Momentum B5 MHEV Auto
- Volvo XC60 Momentum B5 MHEV Awd Auto
- Volvo XC60 Momentum D4 Auto
- Volvo XC60 R-Design B4 Awd Auto
- Volvo XC60 R-Design B4 MHEV Auto
- Volvo XC60 R-Design B4 MHEV Awd Auto
- Volvo XC60 R-Design B5 MHEV Auto
- Volvo XC60 R-Design B5 MHEV Awd Auto
- Volvo XC60 R-Design D4 Auto
- Volvo XC60 R-Design Pro B4 Awd Auto
- Volvo XC60 R-Design Pro B5 Awd Auto
- Volvo XC60 R-Design T6 Rcharg Awd A
- Volvo XC60 R-Design T8 PHEV Awd Auto
- Volvo XC60 Rdesgn Pro T8 Rchrg Awd A
- Volvo XC60 Rdesign Pro B4 MHEV Awd A
- Volvo XC60 Rdesign Pro B5 MHEV Awd A
- Volvo XC60 Rdesign Pro T8 PHEV Awd A
- Volvo XC70
- Volvo XC90
- Volvo XC90 Inscript Pro T8 PHEV A A
- Volvo XC90 Inscription B5 Awd Auto
- Volvo XC90 Inscription B5 MHEV Awd A
- Volvo XC90 Inscription Pro B5 Awd A
- Volvo XC90 Inscription T8 PHEV Awd A
- Volvo XC90 Inscrp Pro T8RCHRGE Awd A
- Volvo XC90 Inscrpt Pro B5 MHEV Awd A
- Volvo XC90 Inscrpt T8 Rcharge Awd A
- Volvo XC90 Momentum B5 Awd Auto
- Volvo XC90 Momentum B5 MHEV Awd Auto
- Volvo XC90 R-Design B5 Awd Auto
- Volvo XC90 R-Design B5 MHEV Awd Auto
- Volvo XC90 R-Design Pro B5 Awd Auto
- Volvo XC90 R-Design T8 Rcharge Awd A
- Volvo XC90 Rdesgn Pro T8 Rchrg Awd A
- Volvo XC90 Rdesign Pro B5 MHEV Awd A
Check a Specific Volvo
Enter any reg plate to see the individual MOT history, defects found, health score, and running cost estimate for that specific car.