Scandinavia's answer to the German estate aristocracy
The Volvo V90 is a premium estate that rivals the BMW 5 Series Touring, Mercedes E-Class Estate, and Audi A6 Avant with distinctly Scandinavian design and class-leading safety. It appeals to families and professionals who want understated luxury, massive practicality, and the reassurance of Volvo's safety reputation. The T8 plug-in hybrid variant adds an eco-conscious dimension that German rivals were slow to match.
We track 5 known issues across the Volvo V90 range, with 2 classified as significant. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Volvo V90? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
Gen1 (1997–1998) — Engine options included the 2.9 I6. We track 3 known issues on this generation, with 2 classified as significant. The most significant concern is Power steering fluid leak and system malfunction (£400–£800 to address).
Gen2 (2016–2023) — Petrol options included the 2.0 T5/T6, with 2.0 D4/D5 on the diesel side. 2 known issues affect this generation, none rated as critical. The most significant concern is CV joint boot failure leading to joint wear (£120–£200 to address).
The hydraulic power steering system on first-generation V90s experiences pump seal degradation and rack leakage at high mileage. MOT data shows this model fails power steering checks at 16.5 times the national fleet average beyond 150,000 miles. The system uses a belt-driven pump feeding a conventional rack assembly, typical of 1990s Volvo design. Parts availability is becoming limited as the model ages, making early detection and repair important to avoid complete system failure.
Complete power steering failure makes the vehicle difficult and dangerous to control, especially at low speeds and when parking. Pump failure can occur suddenly without warning. Replacement parts are becoming scarce for this generation, with repair costs potentially exceeding the vehicle's value. The car remains driveable but requires significantly more physical effort to steer.
During the test drive, check the steering for excessive play, vibration or pulling to one side. Listen for groaning or whining when turning the wheel at low speed. Power steering fluid level and condition should be checked on hydraulic systems.
First-generation V90 brake calipers experience piston seizure and slider pin binding at high mileage due to corrosion and degraded seals. MOT data shows this model fails brake binding tests at 3.7 times the national fleet average beyond 150,000 miles. The front sliding calipers are particularly susceptible to moisture ingress causing the piston to stick in the bore, resulting in constant brake application on one or more wheels.
Binding brakes cause rapid pad and disc wear, reduced fuel economy, and potential wheel bearing damage from overheating. In severe cases, the binding can cause brake fade or complete brake failure. The affected wheel may lock unexpectedly during braking, creating a dangerous loss of control. Repair requires caliper rebuild or replacement plus disc and pad renewal.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
The constant velocity (CV) joint protective boots on second-generation V90s fail prematurely, allowing dirt and moisture to contaminate the joint mechanism. MOT data shows this model fails CV boot checks at 4.9 times the national fleet average, affecting both front driveshafts. Once the boot splits, the CV joint itself deteriorates rapidly due to contamination and grease loss. Early detection and boot replacement prevents the need for complete driveshaft renewal.
A split boot allows grease to escape and contaminants to enter, leading to complete CV joint failure within months. Failed CV joints cause clicking noises, vibration, and eventually prevent power transmission to the wheels. Boot replacement costs £100-200 per side, but delaying repair leads to complete driveshaft replacement costing £300-600 per side.
Listen for clunking or vibration from underneath when pulling away or changing direction. Check for play in the driveshafts by rocking the car in gear with the handbrake on. Worn CV boots are a telltale sign — look for grease splatter around the inner wheel arch.
Second-generation V90s consume brake pads at an accelerated rate compared to the national fleet average. MOT data shows this model fails brake pad thickness checks at 3.7 times the fleet average, occurring unusually early in the vehicle's life including the 0-20,000 mile band. The issue affects both front and rear pads and appears related to the regenerative braking calibration on hybrid variants and aggressive pad compound selection across the range.
Brake pads worn below the legal 1.5mm thickness pose a direct safety risk and will cause MOT failure. Continued driving on worn pads damages the brake discs, increasing repair costs from £150 per axle to £300-500 per axle. The high consumption rate means more frequent replacement intervals than typical vehicles, increasing running costs significantly.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
First-generation V90 suspension bushes and ball joints deteriorate rapidly beyond 150,000 miles due to the age of rubber components and exposure to road salt. MOT data shows this model fails suspension component checks at 3.2 times the national fleet average at high mileage. The front wishbone bushes, anti-roll bar links, and track rod ends are particularly affected, leading to vague steering response and increased tyre wear.
Worn suspension components cause poor handling, increased stopping distances, and accelerated tyre wear. Failed ball joints or track rod ends pose a safety risk as they can separate completely, causing loss of steering control. MOT failure is inevitable once wear exceeds legal limits. Replacement costs escalate rapidly as multiple components typically need renewal simultaneously.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Volvo V90 common problems page.
Based on 49k real DVSA MOT tests, the Volvo V90 fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is light unit fault at 80x the fleet average, followed by exhaust system damage (29x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Volvo V90 MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 10k miles) typically costs £120–£180 at an independent garage.
See the full Volvo V90 service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Volvo V90 is a reasonable used buy provided you check for the issues outlined above. None of the problems we track are insurmountable, but they do reward buyers who inspect thoroughly and verify the service history before committing. Post-2020 models (B5 or B6 mild-hybrid) are the sweet spot, with most early reliability issues resolved, improved infotainment, and the refined mild-hybrid system. The 2021+ models benefit from further software updates and the polished Android Automotive infotainment. Avoid early 2017 cars which had first-year teething problems.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Volvo V90, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 5 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 5 known Volvo V90 issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.