Used car guide

1997 Volvo 900 Series: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1997 Volvo 900 Seriess, from 709 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

709MOT tests in 2025
66%pass first time (all 1997 cars: 67%)
5,600typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for exhaust system

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 1997 Volvo 900 Seriess than on all cars registered in 1997.

  • Exhaust system2.3× usual
    Volvo 900 Series
    20.7% All 1997 cars
    8.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.8%, against 2.3% of all 1997 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

  • Battery4.3× usual
    Volvo 900 Series
    8.6% All 1997 cars
    2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.5% of all 1997 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£200 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the car starts cleanly and there are no warning lights once running.

  • Steering rack inner joints2.4× usual
    Volvo 900 Series
    6.6% All 1997 cars
    2.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 1997 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Anti-roll bar link bushes2.3× usual
    Volvo 900 Series
    5.2% All 1997 cars
    2.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.5% of all 1997 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

By area

The share of 1997 Volvo 900 Series MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    39% 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.

  • Brakes
    35% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    33% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    25% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    24% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Tyres
    21% 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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
1998243Suspension 37%
1996484Suspension 37%
1995491Suspension 42%
1994255Suspension 41%
1993253Suspension 37%
1992244Suspension 41%
1991179Suspension 39%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1997 Volvo 900 Seriess registered in 1997. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score