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Volvo XC90 suspension problems

DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 25,668 MOT tests · Updated

At 3 years, 0.2 in 100 MOT tests of the Volvo XC90 failed on suspension, against 0.6 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 25,668 MOT tests) [1].

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  • Against all class 4 vehicles the same age: about average for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years), 50 MOT tests with a fail
  • By age: seen at 19 ages from 3 to 21 years, 282,309 MOT tests
  • Most common fail: Suspension ball joint worn, 0.1 per 100 MOT tests

Figures are for the model as a whole, not for one car.

What the MOT tests show

What we know

0.2 fails per 100 MOT tests at 3 years, against 0.6 for all class 4 vehicles tested at 3 (all test years). That is about average.

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 XC90 suspension fails by age

Volvo XC90 suspension fails per 100 MOT tests by ageSolid line: the Volvo XC90. Dashed line: all cars the same age. The table below lists every value.010203 years: 0.2 per 100 (all cars 0.6), 25,668 MOT tests34 years: 0.3 per 100 (all cars 0.9), 25,474 MOT tests5 years: 0.7 per 100 (all cars 1.6), 24,004 MOT tests56 years: 1.7 per 100 (all cars 2.9), 24,238 MOT tests7 years: 2.4 per 100 (all cars 4.4), 19,810 MOT tests78 years: 3.2 per 100 (all cars 6.1), 15,830 MOT tests9 years: 3.3 per 100 (all cars 7.9), 12,719 MOT tests910 years: 2.9 per 100 (all cars 9.7), 10,480 MOT tests11 years: 3.6 per 100 (all cars 11.6), 12,130 MOT tests1112 years: 4.6 per 100 (all cars 13.4), 16,024 MOT tests13 years: 6.1 per 100 (all cars 14.9), 16,890 MOT tests1314 years: 7.1 per 100 (all cars 16.0), 15,467 MOT tests15 years: 8.5 per 100 (all cars 16.7), 13,753 MOT tests1516 years: 12.3 per 100 (all cars 17.1), 10,846 MOT tests17 years: 15.2 per 100 (all cars 17.2), 10,979 MOT tests1718 years: 16.2 per 100 (all cars 17.2), 11,473 MOT tests19 years: 16.7 per 100 (all cars 16.9), 8,917 MOT tests1920 years: 17.2 per 100 (all cars 16.5), 5,370 MOT tests21 years: 18.7 per 100 (all cars 15.9), 2,237 MOT tests21
Fails per 100 MOT tests by age, all first-use years pooled. Volvo XC90 All class 4 vehicles the same age Shaded: over 18 years, survivors only.
AgeMOT testsFails per 100All class 4 vehicles the same age
325,6680.20.6
425,4740.30.9
524,0040.71.6
624,2381.72.9
719,8102.44.4
815,8303.26.1
912,7193.37.9
1010,4802.99.7
1112,1303.611.6
1216,0244.613.4
1316,8906.114.9
1415,4677.116.0
1513,7538.516.7
1610,84612.317.1
1710,97915.217.2
1811,47316.217.2
19*8,91716.716.9
20*5,37017.216.5
21*2,23718.715.9

All first-use years of the Volvo XC90 pooled at each age, against all class 4 vehicles at that age over all 2022–2025 test years. * Only survivors are still tested at this age.

What fails in the suspension at 3 years

Fails

  • Suspension ball joint worn: 0.1 fails per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 0.1. Replace suspension ball joint (or arm with joint): estimated £75–£237 (0.7–1.5 h at £78/h (ONS local-garage repair quotes, 1,058 quotes from 65 garages, Sep 2025 to Aug 2026) + parts £20–£120) Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn MOT fail

Advisories (not fails)

Replace suspension ball joint (or arm with joint) cost

Repair figures are estimates, not quotes: how we estimate repair costs.

Buying a Volvo XC90? Check that exact car before the viewing.

Buying Report £14.99 incl. VAT · one car · no subscription · Not a mechanical inspection.

  • Model risks for this year and fuel
  • What similar cars did at their next MOT
  • Repairs ahead
  • Viewing checklist

See a sample report

By engine and fuel

  • 2.4 diesel: 6.1 per 100 at 13 years, fails less often than diesel class 4 vehicles the same age (0.4× (0.36–0.40×)) (all test years; 16,595 MOT tests)
  • 2.0 diesel: 0.0 per 100 at 3 years, about average for diesel class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 5,008 MOT tests)
  • 2.0 hybrid: 0.2 per 100 at 3 years, about average for hybrid class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 18,229 MOT tests)

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: Suspension arm ball joint: ball joint has slight play.

Check one Volvo XC90, not the average

The figures here describe Volvo XC90 cars as a group. These free tools answer for one car. Each line says what the tool reads.

Other Volvo XC90 problems

Suspension on rival models

Questions people ask

Does the Volvo XC90 have more suspension problems than other cars?

0.2 in 100 MOT tests at 3 years, against 0.6 for all class 4 vehicles the same age: about average by our test (all test years; 25,668 MOT tests).

How common are Volvo XC90 suspension problems?

0.2 in 100 MOT tests at 3 years failed on suspension, against 0.6 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 25,668 MOT tests).

What is the most common Volvo XC90 suspension fail?

0.1 in 100 MOT tests at 3 years: Suspension ball joint worn (26 MOT tests with it).

Sources

  1. Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2022 to 2025. DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, 282,309 MOT tests. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.
  2. 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