Volvo Xc90 (2008)

2,285 real MOT outcomes analysed • 74.5% first-time pass rate

2008 Volvo Xc90

CarHunch analysed 2,285 real MOT records for the 2008 Volvo Xc90. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 5.5% below UK average
74.5%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
99,627
typical mileage
81,306–117,018 middle half
55.7%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
4.71
avg MOT failures per car
over 17.5 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2008 Volvo Xc90

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
  • 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
  • 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
  • ⚠️ 55.7% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
  • 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a Volvo Xc90

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Diesel (92%) 2,110 74.2% 4.85
Petrol (8%) 175 78.9% 3.08

Mileage Distribution

Most 2008 Volvo Xc90 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

81,306
low mileage
99,627
typical
117,018
high mileage

Half of all 2008 Volvo Xc90 vehicles fall between 81,306 and 117,018 miles.

2008 Volvo Xc90 — Still on the Road

1,312 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 64% of the peak remain.

2,065 1,312 2014 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.

MOT History Averages

17.5
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
4.71
Avg failures per vehicle
26.5
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 2008 Volvo Xc90

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

  • 64%
    Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 57.8%
    Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
  • 57.4%
    Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 51.8%
    Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
  • 49.5%
    Parking brake efficiency below requirements
  • 47.1%
    Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components
  • 45%
    Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 43.2%
    Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2008. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Volvo Xc90?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — Volvo Xc90:

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020