Used car guide

2020 Volvo V90: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2020 Volvo V90s, from 1,873 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,873MOT tests in 2025
85%pass first time (all 2020 cars: 86%)
9,500typical miles a year
1.8×the usual rate for brake pads

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2020 Volvo V90s than on all cars registered in 2020.

  • Brake pads1.8× usual
    Volvo V90
    16.6% All 2020 cars
    9.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 1.6% 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) joints4.8× usual
    Volvo V90
    2.4% All 2020 cars
    0.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 0.2% 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: 4.2% here, against 9% of all 2020 cars.

By area

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

  • Tyres
    29% 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
    19% 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
    4% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • 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.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    3% 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
    3% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

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

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20221,039Tyres 22%
20211,274Tyres 29%
20194,059Tyres 28%
20183,977Tyres 27%
20172,914Tyres 27%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2020 Volvo V90s registered in 2020. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score