2003 · 21 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2003 Volvo XC90 MOT pass rate and common faults

654 MOT tests in 2024. 52.3% passed first time, compared with 57.3% for all cars the same age.

91Well below average
Passed first time52.3%
Failed or needed repairs47.7%
Typical mileage at test150,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 654 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Position lamp: not working9.9%
  2. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect6.0%
  3. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn5.2%
  4. Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps4.9%
  5. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements4.7%
  6. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn4.3%
  7. Rbt (sp): efficiency less than 50% of the required value4.0%
    34 marked dangerous
  8. Decelerometer (sp): efficiency below requirements4.0%
  9. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play3.2%
  10. Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault3.2%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics48.2%
  2. Brakes34.4%
  3. Suspension26.6%
  4. Body & chassis9.6%
  5. Steering7.3%
  6. Tyres5.2%
  7. Seat belts & airbags4.7%
  8. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.4%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn24.2%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm21.6%
  3. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine14.4%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened14.1%
  5. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened13.0%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: position lamp: not working. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

All XC90 years2004 XC90 →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2003 Volvo XC90?

In 2024, 52.3% of 2003 Volvo XC90 cars passed their MOT first time, across 654 tests. The average for all 21-year-old cars was 57.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2003 Volvo XC90?

The most common failure reasons were position lamp: not working; headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect; suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2003 Volvo XC90 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 91, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).