Used Volvo S90 review and buying guide (2016 to 2023): which one to buy and what to check

Which used Volvo S90 should you buy?

The best used S90 is a 2.0 diesel with its recall paperwork in order and no sign of EGR trouble. That four-cylinder diesel has a serious known fault, with soot clogging its EGR system on cars from 2014 to 2019, so every diesel S90 from the 2016 launch to 2019 is in the frame. The car's paperwork and how it drives matter far more than the year on the logbook.

Very little has been reported about S90s built from 2020 to 2023, and that's a gap in the evidence rather than proof they're better. Don't assume a later diesel has had the EGR problem engineered out; give it exactly the same checks as an early car.

The plug-in hybrid gets credit for strong performance and the same comfortable cabin, but so few reports cover it that nobody can call it the safer bet. It isn't a way round the diesel's problem on reliability grounds, so pick on the individual car's history and how it drives.

Which S90 engines and gearboxes are the safe choices?

The 2.0 diesel is the engine with the serious problem: soot builds up in its EGR system on cars from 2014 to 2019, and a weak EGR cooler is part of the story. It's still the one to buy if you want a diesel, but only a car with a clean history and none of the warning signs listed below.

Diesel S90s sold in the UK up to 2018 were also caught by a 2019 recall, because the plastic inlet manifold could melt and warp, which created a fire risk. Don't buy one without proof that work was done. The D4 runs a cambelt that's due at 90,000 miles or 10 years, whichever comes first, with the auxiliary belt and tensioner looked at in the same job.

Nothing reported points either way on the gearbox, so there's no version to steer you towards or away from. That cuts both ways: an S90 that hasn't had problems reported isn't the same as one that's proven, so the diesel's history counts for more than any badge on the boot lid.

What should you check when viewing a used S90?

Ask for written proof of the 2019 inlet manifold recall on any diesel sold up to 2018, plus receipts for any EGR work. On a D4 at or past 90,000 miles or 10 years old, you want a cambelt receipt that includes the auxiliary belt and tensioner. Early cars also had a 2017 recall to replace the retaining bolts on the curtain airbags, which could be broken, so check that's been done.

On the drive, watch for the engine warning light, sniff for a burning smell and notice any sudden loss of power or limp mode, which are the signs of the diesel's EGR trouble. Take it above 50 mph too: one owner's 2017 car shook badly at around 7,000 miles because the inner lining of a Pirelli tyre had come away, and they were charged £100 just for the diagnosis.

XC90 owners have reported lots of software glitches, and that leaves a question mark over the S90's electronics too. Spend a few minutes working through the touchscreen, sat nav and driver aids before you hand over any money, and don't accept a seller's promise that a frozen screen or dead button is a quick fix.

Paste the advert into the free check and it runs these against the listing, the MOT history and the DVLA record before you travel.

What does a used Volvo S90 cost to run?

What do S90 owners like about them?

The cabin's the big draw: it looks and feels properly upmarket, and it doesn't simply copy the obvious rivals. The seats are a real highlight and make long trips easy, and the ride's excellent, which is why the S90 suits drivers who spend hours at a time on the motorway.

The 2.0 diesel feels quicker than you'd expect for a car this size, and it's quiet and smooth with it. The hybrid adds stronger performance on top, and it keeps the same comfortable cabin and ride, so you don't give up any of the calm feel to get the extra pace.

• The S90 interior offers a genuine premium look with a luxurious feel, setting it apart from rival vehicles.
• This S90 offers exceptional ride comfort, proving highly suitable for long motorway journeys, further enhanced by its very supportive seating.
• The 2.0D engine, despite its size for the car, provides ample pace and operates with impressive quietness and smoothness.
• Hybrid power delivers strong performance and low running costs, while cabin comfort and ride quality are outstanding.