Does the Volvo XC90 fail the MOT on noise, emissions and leaks more than it should?
The Volvo XC90 records 1.00 noise, emissions and leaks failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 3.97 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−2.97, 95% interval −3.03 to −2.91). It ranks 607 of 678 models on noise, emissions and leaks (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on noise, emissions and leaks · check a Volvo XC90 by registration
What exactly fails on noise, emissions and leaks?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Volvo XC90 is “Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction”, recorded 1,669 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction | 1,669 | 0.44 |
| Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users | 471 | 0.12 |
| Emissions test unable to be completed | 464 | 0.12 |
| Smoke opacity levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limit | 329 | 0.09 |
| An induction or exhaust leak that could affect emissions levels | 145 | 0.04 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 378,809 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
If a Volvo XC90 gets a noise, emissions and leaks advisory, how often does it fail next time?
2.8% of Volvo XC90 MOTs with a noise, emissions and leaks advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12.1 months and 5,979 miles later (9,956 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 9,956 (advisories followed) · Method: the same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
Volvo XC90 2003 · Volvo XC90 2004 · Volvo XC90 2005 · Volvo XC90 2006 · Volvo XC90 2007 · Volvo XC90 2008 · Volvo XC90 2009 · Volvo XC90 2010 · Volvo XC90 2011 · Volvo XC90 2012 · Volvo XC90 2013 · Volvo XC90 2014 · Volvo XC90 2015 · Volvo XC90 2016 · Volvo XC90 2017 · Volvo XC90 2018 · Volvo XC90 2019 · Volvo XC90 2020 · Volvo XC90 in Norway · Volvo XC90 in Finland · Volvo XC90 in the Netherlands · Volvo XC90 by postcode area · Volvo XC90 body, chassis and structure failures · Volvo XC90 brakes failures · Volvo XC90 vehicle identification failures · Volvo XC90 lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Volvo XC90 road wheels failures · Volvo XC90 seat belts and airbags failures · Volvo XC90 steering failures · Volvo XC90 suspension failures · Volvo XC90 tyres failures · Volvo XC90 visibility failures