2019 Volvo S90 petrol: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the petrol Volvo S90 first registered in 2019 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 2,200 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
What goes wrong more than usual on a 2019 Volvo S90 petrol?
Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2019 Volvo S90 petrol than on all cars registered in 2019.
- Brake pads1.9× usualVolvo S9019.2% All 2019 cars10.1%
Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 1.8% of all 2019 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.
Common 2019 Volvo S90 petrol MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2019 Volvo S90 petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Tyres26% 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.
- Brakes22% 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.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors3% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
- Suspension2% 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.
- Seats and seatbelts2% of testsRough price £80–£250
At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.
- Lights and electrics2% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2019 Volvo S90 petrol
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2019 Volvo S90 petrol 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% |
| 2018 | 7,404 | Tyres 27% |
| 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 2019. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score