2004 Volvo XC90 MOT pass rate: 62.9% (6,310 tests)
Is the 2004 XC90 getting worse?
Pass rate of 2004-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 62.5% -1.4 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 62.6% -1.4 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 63.9% -1.3 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2004 XC90
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 2,821 | 30.4% |
| 2 | Brakes | 2,139 | 23.0% |
| 3 | Suspension | 2,071 | 22.3% |
| 4 | Tyres | 587 | 6.3% |
| 5 | Steering | 505 | 5.4% |
| 6 | Body, chassis, structure | 407 | 4.4% |
All XC90 years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 2,022 | 62.5% | -2.5 pts | 150,468 |
| 2004 (this page) | 6,310 | 62.9% | -1.4 pts | 159,556 |
| 2005 | 8,853 | 62.8% | -1.7 pts | 155,967 |
| 2006 | 7,074 | 64.6% | +0.2 pts | 149,435 |
| 2007 | 7,298 | 64.6% | -0.5 pts | 147,587 |
| 2008 | 4,681 | 66.7% | +1.6 pts | 141,350 |
| 2009 | 9,694 | 69.6% | +3.2 pts | 133,830 |
| 2010 | 17,426 | 70.9% | +3.6 pts | 128,606 |
| 2011 | 12,528 | 72.2% | +3.1 pts | 121,881 |
| 2012 | 8,660 | 75.6% | +4.4 pts | 111,336 |
| 2013 | 7,181 | 75.9% | +2.6 pts | 104,089 |
| 2014 | 6,806 | 76.7% | +0.8 pts | 96,146 |
| 2015 | 8,040 | 80.7% | +1.9 pts | 86,782 |
| 2016 | 15,514 | 81.5% | +0.1 pts | 79,310 |
| 2017 | 16,314 | 85.0% | +1.0 pts | 68,627 |
| 2018 | 18,492 | 86.8% | +0.4 pts | 57,578 |
| 2019 | 14,886 | 87.4% | -1.0 pts | 46,166 |
| 2020 | 1,928 | 88.3% | -1.7 pts | 37,743 |
Weighing up which year to buy? See the full ranking: Volvo XC90 years to avoid.
- Free MOT history checkThe exact car’s failures, advisories and mileage trail — sellers can’t edit it
- Topdon OBD2 scannersTopdon diagnostic scanners with full-system readouts
- XTOOL diagnostic toolsXTOOL code readers for petrol and diesel cars
- Autel UK testersAutel professional-grade diagnostic testers
FAQs
Is a 2004 Volvo XC90 reliable?
2004-registered examples passed 62.9% of their MOT tests (6,310 tests, 2023–2025), -1.4 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 22 years old with a median 159,556 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2004 XC90?
The median tested example shows 159,556 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Should I buy the petrol or diesel 2004 XC90?
In this cohort petrols pass 66.7% of tests against 62.3% for diesels. Mileage and use can explain part of that gap, so treat it as a reason to inspect DPF and emissions history, not a fuel-type verdict.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.