Is the Volvo XC90 ULEZ Compliant?
Based on 68,456 MOT tests, around 45% of Volvo XC90s still on the road are likely to meet London's ULEZ standards, and about 47% are likely to be charged. For the remaining 8%, it depends on the exact Euro standard or month of registration.
The fuel mix matters: tested cars were 79% diesel, 11% hybrid (petrol), 8% petrol. Diesel XC90s are generally compliant from 2016, while diesel cars from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged. Every hybrid (petrol) XC90 in the data (2015 onwards) is likely to be compliant. Every petrol XC90 in the data (2003 onwards) is likely to be compliant.
- Likely compliant
- 45%
- Likely charged
- 47%
- Depends on the car
- 8%
- MOT tests analysed
- 68,456
Check a specific XC90
Year and fuel type are a guide. Enter the registration to check that car's own record.
XC90 ULEZ compliance by year and fuel
Estimated from the year of first registration. Numbers show how many XC90s of each type were MOT tested, as a guide to how common they are.
| First registered | Diesel | Hybrid (petrol) | Petrol | Hybrid (diesel) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Likely compliant1 tested | Likely compliant74 tested | Likely compliant2 tested | Likely compliant40 tested |
| 2020 | Likely compliant760 tested | Likely compliant2,284 tested | Likely compliant562 tested | Likely compliant1,392 tested |
| 2019 | Likely compliant4,065 tested | Likely compliant1,399 tested | Likely compliant1,801 tested | Likely compliant1 tested |
| 2018 | Likely compliant4,639 tested | Likely compliant1,050 tested | Likely compliant604 tested | – |
| 2017 | Likely compliant3,740 tested | Likely compliant1,549 tested | Likely compliant217 tested | – |
| 2016 | Likely compliant3,595 tested | Likely compliant1,414 tested | Likely compliant209 tested | Likely compliant12 tested |
| 2015 | Check exact car2,522 tested | Likely compliant26 tested | Likely compliant164 tested | Check exact car17 tested |
| 2014 | Check exact car2,315 tested | – | Likely compliant2 tested | – |
| 2013 | Likely charged2,411 tested | – | Likely compliant16 tested | – |
| 2012 | Likely charged2,946 tested | – | Likely compliant28 tested | – |
| 2011 | Likely charged4,289 tested | – | Likely compliant38 tested | – |
| 2010 | Likely charged6,022 tested | – | Likely compliant98 tested | – |
| 2009 | Likely charged3,408 tested | – | Likely compliant83 tested | – |
| 2008 | Likely charged1,635 tested | – | Likely compliant110 tested | – |
| 2007 | Likely charged2,597 tested | – | Likely compliant241 tested | – |
| 2006 | Likely charged2,554 tested | – | Likely compliant285 tested | – |
| 2005 | Likely charged3,167 tested | – | Check Euro standard407 tested | – |
| 2004 | Likely charged2,403 tested | – | Check Euro standard313 tested | – |
| 2003 | Likely charged727 tested | – | Check Euro standard147 tested | – |
How ULEZ rules apply to the XC90
Cars that miss the standard pay £12.50 for each day they're driven in the zone. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
- Diesel (79% of XC90s tested): likely compliant from 2016; 2013 and earlier are likely to be charged.
- Hybrid (petrol) (11% of XC90s tested): every year in our data is likely to comply.
- Petrol (8% of XC90s tested): every year in our data is likely to comply.
- Hybrid (diesel) (2% of XC90s tested): every year in our data is likely to comply.
XC90s from 2014 and 2015 sit on the boundary (8% of those tested): some were built to the required standard before it became compulsory. The Euro standard is sometimes on the V5C logbook, or Volvo can confirm it. Our ULEZ calculator can help.
Thinking of buying one? Check how XC90s fare at the MOT too: see the Volvo XC90 MOT failure rate.
Buying a used Volvo XC90 for London: what the MOT data shows
The Volvo XC90s in this data were first registered between 2003 and 2021. 2019 was the most common year, with 7,266 tests (11% of the total), and half were registered in 2014 or later.
XC90s from likely-compliant years passed their MOT first time 84% of the time, at an average of 53,369 miles. Older ones likely to be charged passed 61% of the time with 130,778 miles on average, so a compliant car is usually the more reliable buy as well as the cheaper one to drive in London.
On a budget, the oldest diesel XC90s likely to comply are from 2016. 3,595 of them were tested; 2016 cars passed first time 80% of the time and averaged 73,096 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
On a budget, the oldest hybrid (petrol) XC90s likely to comply are from 2015. 26 of them were tested; 2015 cars passed first time 79% of the time and averaged 80,205 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
On a budget, the oldest petrol XC90s likely to comply are from 2006. 285 of them were tested; 2006 cars passed first time 57% of the time and averaged 146,341 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
Whichever year you choose, check the XC90's weak spots. The most common MOT failures were lights and electrics: "not working" (6.8% of tests); brakes: "efficiency below requirements" (3.8%) and "efficiency less than 50% of the required value" (2.8%). The most frequent advisory was "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm", on 17.0% of tests.
Overall, 72% of XC90s passed first time, roughly in line with the 71% average for all cars, and they had covered 93,256 miles on average, more than the 73,145-mile average.
ULEZ compliance for other models
Other Volvo models
About this data
Based on 68,456 first MOT tests of the Volvo XC90 carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
ULEZ results are estimates from fuel type and year of first registration. Transport for London makes the final decision.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
What 68,456 MOT tests say about the Volvo XC90 and London's ULEZ.
Is the Volvo XC90 ULEZ compliant?
In our data about 45% of XC90s on the road are likely compliant and 47% likely to be charged. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
Which petrol XC90 years are ULEZ compliant?
Petrol XC90s first registered from 2006 are likely compliant. Some earlier cars meet Euro 4 too, so check the exact vehicle.
Is a diesel XC90 ULEZ compliant?
Only if it meets Euro 6, which generally means first registered from September 2015. Diesel XC90s from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged.
How can I check if a specific XC90 is ULEZ compliant?
Enter its registration in our free ULEZ check, which uses the vehicle's DVLA record. Always confirm with TfL before relying on it.
Related guides
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- Buying a used car · 7 min readHow to read a car's MOT history before buying a used carThe MOT history is the only part of a used car's story the seller didn't write. A 10-minute method for reading it before you go to see the car.Read the guide
Is your XC90 ULEZ compliant?
Enter the registration for a check based on that car's own DVLA record.