Used car guide

2016 Volvo S90: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Volvo S90 first registered in 2016: we looked at the 851 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

851MOTs of 2016 cars, done in 2023–2025
82%pass first time (all 2016 cars: 77%)
9,000typical miles a year
3.6×the usual rate for track rod ends

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2016 Volvo S90?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2016 Volvo S90 than on all cars registered in 2016.

  • Track rod ends3.6× usual
    Volvo S90
    8.3% All 2016 cars
    2.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 1.1% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

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

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints3.5× usual
    Volvo S90
    5.3% All 2016 cars
    1.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 0.9% of all 2016 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: 5.2% here, against 11.8% of all 2016 cars.

Common 2016 Volvo S90 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2016 Volvo S90 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    27% 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
    19% 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
    18% 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.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    6% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

  • 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    3% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2016 Volvo S90

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 3.6× as often on the 2016 Volvo S90 as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.5× as often on the 2016 Volvo S90 as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Volvo S90?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Volvo S90 compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023–Too new for MOT data
2022277Tyres 21%
2021459Tyres 25%
20202,958Tyres 26%
20196,243Tyres 26%
20187,404Tyres 27%
20174,129Tyres 25%
1998–Too few tests
1997174Suspension 41%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Volvo S90 cars first registered in 2016. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score