The Volvo S90 is Volvo's flagship premium saloon — launched in 2016 as a direct competitor to the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes E-Class and Audi A6. Built on the SPA platform alongside the V90 and XC90. Known for its exceptional Scandinavian interior design, class-leading safety technology and comfortable long-distance ride. The T8 Recharge PHEV is very popular with company car drivers. Available in standard wheelbase and long-wheelbase (L) variants.
Quick Facts — Volvo S90
Common Engines
2.0 T5, 2.0 T6, 2.0 D4, 2.0 D5, T8 Recharge PHEV, B5/B6 (mild hybrid)
6 Most Common Volvo S90 Problems
These are the faults most frequently seen on the Volvo S90 by UK garages — ranked by how commonly they occur and what they cost to fix.
Diesel S90s — typically company fleet cars driven on urban routes — develop DPF blockages. A large premium saloon used on short commuter runs is a high DPF risk.
💷 Typical repair cost: £150–£1,800
The S90 diesel requires AdBlue. Running low, injector faults or sensor issues prevent restarting after a threshold is crossed. Common on high-mileage fleet examples.
💷 Typical repair cost: £10–£800
The T8 Recharge PHEV battery degrades over time — EV range reduces on older examples. Always test actual EV range before buying a used T8 S90.
💷 Typical repair cost: £2,000–£6,000
Pilot Assist lane keeping, adaptive cruise and autobrake sensor faults are reported on some S90s — usually requiring recalibration after windscreen replacement or accident repairs.
💷 Typical repair cost: £100–£600
Some early S90 examples reported gearbox hesitation and judder from the Aisin 8-speed — addressed by software updates.
💷 Typical repair cost: £0–£1,500
S90 models with optional rear air suspension can develop compressor and height sensor faults on higher-mileage examples.
💷 Typical repair cost: £300–£1,500
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Volvo S90 — MOT Tips
DPF and AdBlue warnings are MOT-relevant on diesel S90s — DPF is an automatic fail. T8 PHEV high-voltage warnings must be clear. All ADAS systems must be fully functional for MOT. Air suspension must maintain correct ride height. Check windscreen condition — chips near the ADAS camera zone require replacement.
Engine management light on before your MOT? It's an automatic fail. Run a
MotorLoom diagnostic for £1.99 to get the likely cause and repair cost before booking the test.
Volvo S90 Tyres
Most Volvo S90 models run 245/45 R18 or 245/40 R19 or 245/35 R20 depending on trim level and year. Always check the placard inside the driver's door for the exact size for your vehicle.
Summary
The S90 is an outstanding large premium saloon at a very competitive used price — it under-sells against its German rivals and is well worth seeking out. The B5 mild hybrid petrol is the most straightforward used buy. Diesel models need DPF and AdBlue history checking. T8 PHEV EV battery health is the key check on older examples.
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