Used car guide

2020 Volvo V90 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Volvo V90 first registered in 2020 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 2,085 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,085MOTs of 2020 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025
85%pass first time (all 2020 cars: 87%)
10,400typical miles a year
2.2×the usual rate for brake pads

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2020 Volvo V90 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2020 Volvo V90 diesel than on all cars registered in 2020.

  • Brake pads2.2× usual
    Volvo V90
    17% All 2020 cars
    7.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 1.4% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints5.3× usual
    Volvo V90
    2.1% All 2020 cars
    0.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.1% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

Better than most

Brake discs: 2.9% here, against 7.4% of all 2020 cars.

Common 2020 Volvo V90 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2020 Volvo V90 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    28% 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
    18% 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 mirrors
    4% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Lights and electrics
    3% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    2% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

  • Seats and seatbelts
    2% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2020 Volvo V90 diesel

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

  1. Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2020 Volvo V90 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 5.3× as often on the 2020 Volvo V90 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Volvo V90?

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 V90 compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023–Too new for MOT data
20221,064Tyres 22%
20212,517Tyres 28%
201912,028Tyres 29%
201811,862Tyres 28%
20178,649Tyres 27%
20161,313Tyres 27%
1998128Suspension 42%
1997263Suspension 50%

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 V90 cars first registered in 2020. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score