Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2017 Volvo V90?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2017 Volvo V90?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2017 Volvo V90?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2017 Volvo V90 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

30% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2017 Volvo V90 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 2,968 vehicles, the 2017 Volvo V90 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 89.4%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2017 Volvo V90?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2017 Volvo V90 are: Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (38.1% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (34.4% of vehicles), Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (33.8% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2017 Volvo V90?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Volvo V90 (2017)

2,968 real MOT outcomes analysed • 89.4% first-time pass rate

2017 Volvo V90

CarHunch analysed 2,968 real MOT records for the 2017 Volvo V90. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2017 Volvo V90 is significantly more reliable than the average UK car, with an 89.4% first-time pass rate against the 80% national average—but nearly one in three of these vehicles have experienced a dangerous defect at some point, which is a material concern for safety-conscious buyers. Diesel dominates the model lineup and maintains that strong 89.4% pass rate across the fleet.

These V90s are running at sensible mileage for their age (median 58,200 miles), and while they average less than one failure per test, the high advisory count of 6.4 per vehicle suggests wear items and minor issues are common. Check service history carefully and budget for brake and suspension work before you buy, as these advisory patterns typically flag maintenance-heavy areas on Volvos.

The 2017 Volvo V90 has a decent first-time pass rate (89.4%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

89.4%

UK average ~80%

Better than average

Dangerous (ever)

30.3%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.85

Over 7 tests on record

Moderate

Typical mileage

58k

Middle half: 44k–76k

For context

✅ Good baseline reliability. A 89.4% first-time pass rate puts this well above the UK average — it's a well-sorted vehicle in this age bracket.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 6.4 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 2,968 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 2,968 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 38.1%

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 33.8%

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Other issues 10.9%

COVID-19 6 MONTH EXTENSION · Nearside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt · Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view · …

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2017.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 2,968 Volvo V90 cars.

Before you buy a 2017 Volvo V90

Based on MOT data from 2,968 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 30.3% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Diesel (98%)	2,897	89.4%	0.85

Colour Breakdown

Based on 10,788 Volvo V90 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Grey 33.9%

3,652

Blue 21%

2,265

Silver 15.8%

1,705

Black 14.3%

1,541

White 7.4%

799

Gold 1.9%

200

Green 1.7%

186

Bronze 1.4%

151

Red 1.3%

136

Purple 1%

111

Maroon 0.3%

Brown 0.1%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2017 Volvo V90 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

58,201

typical

44,453

low mileage

76,079

high mileage

Half of all 2017 Volvo V90 vehicles fall between 44,453 and 76,079 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 44,453 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 44,453–76,079 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2017 Volvo V90s sit.

⚠ Over 102,706 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2017 Volvo V90 — Still on the Road

Almost all 2017 Volvo V90s are still on the road.

Strong survival — 2,780 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 97% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2020–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.85

Avg failures per vehicle

6.4

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Volvo V90: All V90 years → Which year to buy? →

1997 1998 2016 2018 2019

Or browse all models: Volvo →

Compare with another model

See how the 2017 Volvo V90 stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing