MOT performance
BMW X5 vs Volvo XC90: MOT pass rates compared
In 2023–2024, 78.5% of 180,951 BMW X5 MOT tests and 73.1% of 140,093 Volvo XC90 tests passed first time — 5.4 points in favour of the BMW X5. Once age, mileage and fuel are allowed for, the BMW X5 fails less often than the Volvo XC90: 0.71× against 0.91× the national rate for comparable cars.
180,951 BMW X5 and 140,093 Volvo XC90 MOT tests, 2023–2024
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| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| BMW X5: first-time pass rate | 78.5% | ±0.2 pts (95%), n = 180,951 |
| Volvo XC90: first-time pass rate | 73.1% | ±0.2 pts (95%), n = 140,093 |
| BMW X5: failures vs similar cars | -29% | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00 |
| Volvo XC90: failures vs similar cars | -9% | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00 |
| BMW X5: dangerous defect | 7.3% | n = 180,951 |
| Volvo XC90: dangerous defect | 9.7% | n = 140,093 |
| Average age at test | 9.9 vs 9.3 years | BMW X5 vs Volvo XC90 |
Why the raw pass rates can mislead
The BMW X5 was tested at an older average age (9.9 years against 9.3), and older cars fail more often whatever they are. That is why the table above also shows failures against cars of the same age, mileage and fuel: it compares the models, not their fleets.
Failure areas side by side
Share of MOT tests that failed on each area, and in brackets how that compares with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel (1.00 = national average). The clearest difference is steering, where the Volvo XC90 fails 4.2 times as often on an adjusted basis.
| Area | BMW X5 | Volvo XC90 |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 4.9% (-39%) | 10.6% (+38%) |
| Steering | 0.6% (-74%) | 2.5% (+8%) |
| Suspension | 5.9% (-42%) | 5.2% (-48%) |
| Tyres | 7.4% (+5%) | 6.8% (-4%) |
| Road wheels | 0.8% (+81%) | 0.4% (-17%) |
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 6.9% (-44%) | 11.1% (-6%) |
| Body, chassis and structure | 2.8% (-36%) | 2.0% (-50%) |
| Driver's view of the road | 3.2% (-33%) | 3.0% (-37%) |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.4% (-57%) | 1.0% (-65%) |
| Seat belts and airbags | 1.1% (-23%) | 0.8% (-40%) |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.6% (+49%) | 0.4% (+2%) |
| Speedometer and driving controls | 0.0% (-73%) | 0.0% (-20%) |
Pass rate at the same age
Comparing cars of the same age removes most of the fleet-age effect from the raw rates.
| Age at test | BMW X5 | Volvo XC90 |
|---|---|---|
| 3-4 years | 87.4% (n = 26,549) | 86.6% (n = 24,186) |
| 5-6 years | 86.5% (n = 26,108) | 83.7% (n = 22,533) |
| 7-8 years | 86.6% (n = 25,613) | 78.7% (n = 15,353) |
| 9-10 years | 82.7% (n = 18,094) | 71.5% (n = 9,700) |
| 11-12 years | 76.8% (n = 15,831) | 66.1% (n = 14,805) |
| 13-15 years | 72.6% (n = 22,268) | 61.3% (n = 21,634) |
| 16+ years | 62.0% (n = 37,417) | 55.2% (n = 22,819) |
Most common failure item
- BMW X5 · condition: has ply or cords exposed (2.89% of tests)
- Volvo XC90 · position lamp: not working (4.76% of tests)
MOT results reflect how cars are maintained as well as how they are built, so a gap between two models is a difference in test performance, not proof that one is more reliable. For one car, its own MOT history says more than any average.
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About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.