Used car guide

2012 Volvo XC90: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Volvo XC90s, from 2,859 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,859MOT tests in 2025
70%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
9,200typical miles a year
4.4×the usual rate for steering rack inner joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Volvo XC90s than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Steering rack inner joints4.4× usual
    Volvo XC90
    10.2% All 2012 cars
    2.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2012 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.

Better than most

Coil springs: 4.4% here, against 9.6% of all 2012 cars. Rigid brake pipes: 0.7% here, against 5.5% of all 2012 cars.

By area

The share of 2012 Volvo XC90 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    33% 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.

  • 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.

  • Suspension
    28% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    20% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Steering
    12% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    6% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20226,274Tyres 29%
20216,786Tyres 28%
20204,839Tyres 30%
20197,095Tyres 29%
20186,228Tyres 27%
20175,495Tyres 28%
20165,220Suspension 31%
20152,714Tyres 28%
20142,268Tyres 30%
20132,396Brakes 30%
20114,096Lights and electrics 34%
20105,552Suspension 38%
20093,021Suspension 46%
20081,392Suspension 52%
20072,096Suspension 54%
20061,947Suspension 56%
20052,374Suspension 59%
20041,561Suspension 60%
2003500Suspension 63%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2012 Volvo XC90s registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score