Common problems by part
Volvo V90 suspension problems
DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 13,896 MOT tests · Updated
At 5 years, 0.8 in 100 MOT tests of the Volvo V90 failed on suspension, against 1.6 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 13,896 MOT tests) [1].
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- Against all class 4 vehicles the same age: fails less often than all class 4 vehicles the same age (0.4–0.6×) (all test years), 110 MOT tests with a fail
- By age: seen at 6 ages from 3 to 8 years, 57,957 MOT tests
- Most common fail: Coil spring broken, 0.4 per 100 MOT tests
Figures are for the model as a whole, not for one car.
What the MOT tests show
What we know
0.8 fails per 100 MOT tests at 5 years, against 1.6 for all class 4 vehicles tested at 5 (all test years). The Volvo V90 fails less often here.
Why it matters
A suspension fail stops the car passing until it is fixed; the most common one is rated major by DVSA.
What to check
Push down hard on each corner: it should rise once and settle. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and look behind each wheel for snapped springs or split rubber bushes.
Volvo V90 suspension fails by age
| Age | MOT tests | Fails per 100 | All class 4 vehicles the same age |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 9,280 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| 4 | 12,233 | 0.4 | 0.9 |
| 5 | 13,896 | 0.8 | 1.6 |
| 6 | 11,819 | 1.7 | 2.9 |
| 7 | 7,350 | 2.9 | 4.4 |
| 8 | 3,379 | 4.6 | 6.1 |
All first-use years of the Volvo V90 pooled at each age, against all class 4 vehicles at that age over all 2022–2025 test years.
What fails in the suspension at 5 years
Fails
- Coil spring broken: 0.4 fails per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 0.5. Replace coil spring: estimated £64–£236 (0.5–2 h at £78/h (ONS local-garage repair quotes, 1,058 quotes from 65 garages, Sep 2025 to Aug 2026) + parts £25–£80) Coil spring fractured or broken MOT fail
- Shock absorber leaking: 0.2 fails per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 0.3. Replace shock absorbers: estimated £122–£484 (0.8–3 h at £78/h (ONS local-garage repair quotes, 1,058 quotes from 65 garages, Sep 2025 to Aug 2026) + parts £60–£250) Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak MOT fail
Advisories (not fails)
- Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil: 0.7 advisories per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 1.6. Shock absorber has light misting of oil MOT advisory
- Suspension arm ball joint: ball joint has slight play: 0.5 advisories per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 0.3. Suspension arm ball joint has slight play MOT advisory
- Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement: 0.3 advisories per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 1.3. Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement MOT advisory
Repair figures are estimates, not quotes: how we estimate repair costs.
Buying a Volvo V90? Check that exact car before the viewing.
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- Model risks for this year and fuel
- What similar cars did at their next MOT
- Repairs ahead
- Viewing checklist
How to check on a test drive
Push down hard on each corner: it should rise once and settle. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and look behind each wheel for snapped springs or split rubber bushes.
The most common advisory here in MOT records: Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil.
Check one Volvo V90, not the average
The figures here describe Volvo V90 cars as a group. These free tools answer for one car. Each line says what the tool reads.
- Check a Volvo V90's MOT history Every MOT test, fail item, advisory and mileage reading DVSA holds for that registration.
- MOT advisory checker Paste an advisory or defect to read DVSA's wording, its grade and what tends to happen at the next MOT.
Other Volvo V90 problems
Suspension on rival models
- Volvo V60 suspension problems: 0.8 per 100 MOT tests at 5 years, against 0.8 for the Volvo V90 (14,987 MOT tests)
- Dacia Logan suspension problems: 2.5 per 100 MOT tests at 5 years, against 0.8 for the Volvo V90 (7,355 MOT tests)
- Subaru Outback suspension problems: 1.0 per 100 MOT tests at 5 years, against 0.8 for the Volvo V90 (1,976 MOT tests)
Questions people ask
Does the Volvo V90 have more suspension problems than other cars?
0.4 to 0.6 times the suspension fail rate of all class 4 vehicles the same age at 5 years (all test years), from 13,896 MOT tests. The interval is clear of 0.8 in the same direction at 3 of the 6 ages seen (ages up to 18 with at least 100 MOT tests with a fail).
How common are Volvo V90 suspension problems?
0.8 in 100 MOT tests at 5 years failed on suspension, against 1.6 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 13,896 MOT tests).
What is the most common Volvo V90 suspension fail?
0.4 in 100 MOT tests at 5 years: Coil spring broken (57 MOT tests with it).
Sources
- Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2022 to 2025. DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, 57,957 MOT tests. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.
- Office for National Statistics, Consumer price inflation, local price quotes (car repair items). ONS price quotes, series 610236. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.
Parts: against all class 4 vehicles at the same age, all 2022–2025 test years pooled, not adjusted for mileage. Breakdowns and non-MOT faults are not in this data. How we compare