Volvo reliability and common MOT problems by model
Volvo shows a 19.3% combined MOT failure rate across 651,278 tests in MOTIntel data. Xc40 has one of the lower high-confidence rates at 7.7%. V50 deserves extra checking at 28.5%.
Statistics are built from DVSA MOT tests carried out in calendar year 2023, plus official recall records and MOT fault wording data. Report index generated 2026-05-09.
Volvo combined failure rate: 19.3% — all-model average is 18.7%. Ranked #31 of 48 makes by failure rate (1 = lowest). Raw rates reflect each make's fleet age mix — newer fleets naturally fail less.
Xc40 (7.7%), S90 (9.9%), V90 (11.9%), Xc60 (15.1%), V60 (16.2%)
V50 (28.5%), S40 (27.2%), C70 (26.6%), C30 (26.0%), V70 (23.1%)
Most reliable Volvo models in MOT data
| # | Model | MOT failure rate | Tests | Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Volvo Xc40 | 7.7% | 42,006 tests | 36,894 vehicles |
| 2 | Volvo S90 | 9.9% | 6,626 tests | 5,644 vehicles |
| 3 | Volvo V90 | 11.9% | 11,390 tests | 9,645 vehicles |
| 4 | Volvo Xc60 | 15.1% | 107,060 tests | 88,120 vehicles |
| 5 | Volvo V60 | 16.2% | 38,637 tests | 31,436 vehicles |
Volvo models with the highest MOT failure rates
| # | Model | MOT failure rate | Tests | Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Volvo V50 | 28.5% | 46,001 tests | 32,528 vehicles |
| 2 | Volvo S40 | 27.2% | 28,007 tests | 20,231 vehicles |
| 3 | Volvo C70 | 26.6% | 11,540 tests | 8,408 vehicles |
| 4 | Volvo C30 | 26.0% | 32,393 tests | 23,537 vehicles |
| 5 | Volvo V70 | 23.1% | 57,151 tests | 43,043 vehicles |
Common Volvo MOT problem areas
| # | Problem area | MOT notes | Models affected | What to check | High-rate examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension and steering | 87,799 MOT notes | 15 models | Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and ask whether worn joints or bushes have been replaced. | Volvo C70, Volvo V70, Volvo Xc90 |
| 2 | Corrosion and structure | 84,237 MOT notes | 15 models | Inspect sills, subframes, suspension mounts, brake pipes, and previous welding or rust repairs. | Volvo S40, Volvo V70, Volvo V50 |
| 3 | Lights and electrical | 73,330 MOT notes | 15 models | Test every exterior light, warning lamp, horn, washer, and basic electrical function before buying. | Volvo C30, Volvo V70, Volvo V50 |
| 4 | Emissions, engine, and exhaust | 39,312 MOT notes | 15 models | Check cold starts, exhaust smoke, warning lights, service history, and recent emissions repairs. | Volvo S40, Volvo V50, Volvo V70 |
| 5 | Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors | 37,477 MOT notes | 15 models | Check the windscreen, wipers, washers, mirrors, chips, cracks, and whether the driver's view is clear. | Volvo V50, Volvo S40, Volvo V70 |
| 6 | Tyres and wheels | 12,502 MOT notes | 15 models | Look for matching tyres, legal tread, sidewall damage, wheel damage, and uneven wear. | Volvo Xc90, Volvo Xc60, Volvo S40 |
All Volvo model reports
| Model | MOT tests | Vehicles | Failure rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| V40 | 122,974 | 98,332 | 19.0% |
| Xc60 | 107,060 | 88,120 | 15.1% |
| Xc90 | 75,441 | 58,391 | 19.6% |
| V70 | 57,151 | 43,043 | 23.1% |
| V50 | 46,001 | 32,528 | 28.5% |
| Xc40 | 42,006 | 36,894 | 7.7% |
| V60 | 38,637 | 31,436 | 16.2% |
| C30 | 32,393 | 23,537 | 26.0% |
| S40 | 28,007 | 20,231 | 27.2% |
| S60 | 24,311 | 19,199 | 19.7% |
| Xc70 | 22,502 | 17,508 | 20.9% |
| C70 | 11,540 | 8,408 | 26.6% |
| V90 | 11,390 | 9,645 | 11.9% |
| S80 | 9,515 | 7,449 | 19.7% |
| S90 | 6,626 | 5,644 | 9.9% |
| 900 Series limited data | 4,237 | 3,255 | 23.8% |
| 800 Series limited data | 2,449 | 1,870 | 25.1% |
| 240 limited data | 1,730 | 1,310 | 25.2% |
| Xc60 Edition T4 Auto limited data | 1,486 | 1,292 | 10.4% |
| Xc40 Inscription Pro B4 Mhev A limited data | 1,322 | 1,253 | 4.8% |
| V90 Momentum T4 Auto limited data | 1,261 | 1,064 | 13.6% |
| 700 Series limited data | 1,170 | 895 | 24.2% |
| Xc40 R Design Pro B4 Mhev Auto limited data | 1,035 | 954 | 7.3% |
| S60 R Design T5 Auto limited data | 1,034 | 896 | 8.0% |
Models with limited data (fewer than 20,000 tests or 10,000 vehicles) have full reports but are not indexed in search engines until the evidence threshold is met.