MOT failure data · 2025
Volvo 900 Series MOT problems
Across every Volvo 900 Series that failed its 2025 MOT, the defect testers recorded most often was component mounting prescribed areas prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength, on 6.03% of failure items. The broadest problem area was lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment at 19.27%. These are recorded defects across the model, not a diagnosis of any one car.
Most common Volvo 900 Series MOT failures
| # | Recorded defect | Area | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength | Suspension | 6.03% |
| 2 | Exhaust system has a major leak of exhaust gases | Body, chassis, structure | 3.93% |
| 3 | Position lamp not working | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 3.34% |
| 4 | Pins and bushes pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 3.11% |
| 5 | Stop lamp not working | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 2.52% |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) efficiency below requirements | Brakes | 2.33% |
| 7 | Wipers does not clear the windscreen effectively | Visibility | 2.29% |
| 8 | Service brake performance excessively binding | Brakes | 2.26% |
| 9 | Catalyst emissions lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits | Noise, emissions and leaks | 2.13% |
| 10 | Emissions not tested unable to be completed | Noise, emissions and leaks | 2.06% |
Shares are of all recorded failure items for this model, so they sum to less than 100% — a single failed test often records several defects, and the long tail below the top 10 is not shown.
What this means if you are buying one
Use it as a viewing checklist. If you are looking at a Volvo 900 Series, these are the areas worth inspecting and worth asking about — and worth reading the car's own MOT history for, since a defect that keeps reappearing as an advisory is a better signal than any model-wide average.
The MOT record also has hard limits: it does not check the engine, clutch or gearbox, and it says nothing about outstanding finance, insurance write-off history, stolen markers or whether the mileage is genuine. Our used Volvo 900 Series buying guide covers what to check beyond the MOT.
Checking a specific Volvo 900 Series?
Enter its registration for finance, write-off, stolen, mileage and keeper history.
Other Volvo models
- Volvo XC60 MOT problems
- Volvo V40 MOT problems
- Volvo XC40 MOT problems
- Volvo XC90 MOT problems
- Volvo V70 MOT problems
- Volvo V60 MOT problems
Volvo 900 Series MOT FAQs
What does a Volvo 900 Series most commonly fail its MOT on?
The single most recorded defect on Volvo 900 Series cars failing their 2025 MOT was "component mounting prescribed areas prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength", appearing on 6.03% of failure items.
Does this mean my Volvo 900 Series will fail?
No. This is what testers recorded across every Volvo 900 Series that failed in 2025. It shows where this model tends to need attention, not the condition of any individual car. The Volvo 900 Series passed 70.22% of its initial tests.
How do I see a specific Volvo 900 Series's MOT history?
Enter its registration on our free MOT history check to see that car's own test results, advisories and recorded mileages.
See also: Volvo 900 Series MOT pass rate · used Volvo 900 Series buying guide · free MOT history check
Defect counts from the DVSA MOT Anonymised test-item data for 2025 (class 4 initial tests, failure items only — advisories and minor defects excluded), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.