Volvo XC90 reliability: best and worst years to buy used

If you are thinking about buying a used Volvo XC90, reliability varies considerably depending on which model year you choose, and picking the wrong one can mean a string of expensive visits to the garage.

The XC90 has been sold in two distinct generations. The first ran from 2002 to 2014 and the second, known internally as the SPA-platform model, arrived for 2016 and is still on sale today. According to a trade report looking at dependability across the model's history, the two generations have quite different reliability profiles, and even within each generation some years stand out as better or worse than others.

The first-generation XC90 had a long production run, and early examples from the mid-2000s attracted more complaints than later ones. Common issues flagged against that era include problems with the transmission and various electrical faults. Later first-generation cars, built closer to 2014, are generally considered more sorted, partly because many of the known problems had been addressed over time. If you are looking at an older XC90, a full service history and evidence that known faults have been dealt with matters a great deal.

The second-generation XC90 brought a completely fresh platform and a new family of turbocharged and supercharged four-cylinder engines, replacing the older larger-capacity units. Early second-generation cars, particularly those from the first couple of model years after launch, attracted owner complaints about infotainment software and certain powertrain niggles. Mid-cycle examples from the second generation are regarded more favourably in reliability surveys. The trade report suggests that buyers looking for the best balance of modern features and dependability should pay close attention to which specific year a used example was built, rather than simply buying on generation alone.

Whatever year you settle on, an independent pre-purchase inspection is worthwhile with any used XC90. Repair costs for a premium Swedish SUV can be higher than a mainstream family car, so catching a problem before you hand over your money is time and money well spent.