What are the most common problems with a 2018 Volvo S90 diesel?

The biggest MOT weak spot is track rod ends: flagged on 2.7% of tests, 2.3× the rate for all 2018 cars.

What should I ask the seller before buying a used 2018 Volvo S90 diesel?

Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2018 Volvo S90 diesel as on other cars the same age.) Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Used car guide

2018 Volvo S90 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Volvo S90 first registered in 2018 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 6,962 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

6,962MOTs of 2018 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025

88%pass first time (all 2018 cars: 83%)

10,200typical miles a year

2.3×the usual rate for track rod ends

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2018 Volvo S90 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2018 Volvo S90 diesel than on all cars registered in 2018.

Track rod ends2.3× usual

Volvo S90
2.7% All 2018 cars
1.2%

Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.6% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Common 2018 Volvo S90 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2018 Volvo S90 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Tyres

27% of testsRough price £70–£150

At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.
Brakes

19% of testsRough price £150–£350

At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.
Suspension

7% of testsRough price £120–£400

At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.
Wipers, windscreen and mirrors

3% of testsRough price £15–£250

At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
Seats and seatbelts

2% of testsRough price £80–£250

At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.
Oil and fluid leaks

2% of testsRough price £80–£600

At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2018 Volvo S90 diesel

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2018 Volvo S90 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Volvo S90?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Volvo S90 compared

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2024	–	Too new for MOT data
2023	–	Too new for MOT data
2022	277	Tyres 21%
2021	455	Tyres 25%
2020	2,950	Tyres 26%
2019	6,243	Tyres 26%
2017	4,123	Tyres 25%
2016	849	Tyres 27%
1998	–	Too few tests
1997	174	Suspension 41%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Volvo S90 cars first registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score