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Volvo S80 reliability

A · Excellent

MOT pass rates and common problems from 63,087 MOT tests of cars first registered 1999–2016.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
67.2%pass first time
+9.4 ptsvs typical car
Beats 83%of cars
63,087MOT tests

Verdict

The Volvo S80 passes its MOT first time on 67.2% of tests, 9.4 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (57.8%). That puts it ahead of 83% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2014 S80 does best (beats 98% of cars) and the 2000 worst (beats 53%).

Better than average on lights & electrics, brakes, suspension.

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

40%50%60%70%80%90%56789101112131415161718192086%81%75%74%68%64%60%58%
Volvo S80Typical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

1999
Beats 55%
2000
Beats 53%
2001
Beats 58%
2002
Beats 64%
2003
Beats 70%
2004
Beats 71%
2005
Beats 79%
2006
Beats 87%
2007
Beats 93%
2008
Beats 93%
2009
Beats 89%
2010
Beats 93%
2011
Beats 91%
2012
Beats 81%
2013
Beats 85%
2014
Beats 98%
2015
Beats 93%
2016
Beats 96%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Diesel2002–201436,23767.3%Beats 88%A
2.0 Diesel2009–201613,31977.2%Beats 89%A
2.4 Petrol1999–200412,36855.5%Beats 60%C
1.6 Diesel2013–20131,16374.3%Beats 80%A

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 2.9% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 6.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 8.1% of tests fail on suspension, against 16.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 16.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 20.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 6.7% of tests fail on tyres, against 8.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 8.8% of tests fail on brakes, against 12.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 16.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 20.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+4.1 ptsTyres: 6.7% of tests fail on tyres, against 8.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+1.3 ptsBrakes: 8.8% of tests fail on brakes, against 12.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+3.8 ptsSuspension: 8.1% of tests fail on suspension, against 16.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+8.3 ptsExhaust: 2.9% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 6.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+3.2 ptsSuspension: 8.1% of tests fail on suspension, against 16.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 8.8% of tests fail on brakes, against 12.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 6.7% of tests fail on tyres, against 8.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 16.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 20.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 2.9% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 6.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 16.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 20.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+4.1 ptsTyres: 6.7% of tests fail on tyres, against 8.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+1.3 ptsBrakes: 8.8% of tests fail on brakes, against 12.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+3.8 ptsSuspension: 8.1% of tests fail on suspension, against 16.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+8.3 ptsExhaust: 2.9% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 6.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+3.2 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Tyres: 6.7% of tests fail on tyres, against 8.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Lights & electrics
16.4% vs 20.5%
Brakes
8.8% vs 12.6%
Suspension
8.1% vs 16.4%
Tyres
6.7% vs 8.0%
Visibility
4.3% vs 6.9%
Body & structure
3.7% vs 7.2%
Steering
3.6% vs 3.8%
Emissions & leaks
2.9% vs 6.1%
Seat belts & airbags
1.0% vs 2.5%
Wheels
0.4% vs 0.6%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Sidelights
    Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Tyre damage & cracking
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • Handbrake performance
    Check the handbrake holds the car firmly on a slope.
  • Tyre tread depth
    Check every tyre, including the inner edge, has at least 3 mm of tread. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.
  • Track rod ends
    Feel for play or knocking in the steering and check for wear on the inner edges of the front tyres.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

50%60%70%80%90%30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k86%77%75%68%65%63%61%
Volvo S80Typical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Sidelights5.4%5.5%1.0×
Headlight aim5.0%5.5%0.9×
Tyre damage & cracking4.0%3.9%1.0×
Handbrake performance3.1%3.1%1.0×
Tyre tread depth2.4%3.6%0.7×
Track rod ends2.4%2.4%1.0×
Number plate lights2.2%2.6%0.9×
Brake pads2.0%2.4%0.9×
Headlight bulbs & units2.0%3.8%0.5×
Windscreen washers2.0%3.2%0.6×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements49.8
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn43.8
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning42.4
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements24.2
A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play20.5
Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement20.1
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen19.9
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm19.4
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2016 Volvo S801 engine86.5% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel1,38886.5%Beats 96%A
2015 Volvo S801 engine83.9% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel2,92383.9%Beats 93%A
2014 Volvo S802 engines84.9% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Diesel1,46486.0%Beats 99%A
2.0 Diesel1,10483.5%Beats 97%A
2013 Volvo S802 engines76.6% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel1,74278.2%Beats 88%A
1.6 Diesel1,16374.3%Beats 80%A
2012 Volvo S801 engine72.3% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel1,39072.3%Beats 81%A
2011 Volvo S802 engines74.0% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel2,09672.7%Beats 89%A
2.4 Diesel1,46876.0%Beats 94%A
2010 Volvo S802 engines72.8% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Diesel3,01573.9%Beats 95%A
2.0 Diesel1,52570.8%Beats 90%A
2009 Volvo S802 engines69.5% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Diesel2,56771.9%Beats 94%A
2.0 Diesel1,15164.2%Beats 74%B
2008 Volvo S801 engine69.8% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Diesel5,55069.8%Beats 93%A
2007 Volvo S801 engine68.9% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Diesel6,65468.9%Beats 93%A
2006 Volvo S801 engine65.5% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Diesel3,44165.5%Beats 87%A
2005 Volvo S801 engine61.4% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Diesel4,52461.4%Beats 79%B
2004 Volvo S802 engines58.4% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Diesel3,28060.2%Beats 78%B
2.4 Petrol1,52754.4%Beats 57%C
2003 Volvo S802 engines58.0% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Diesel2,72357.9%Beats 71%B
2.4 Petrol2,53458.1%Beats 68%B
2002 Volvo S802 engines56.1% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Petrol2,88354.6%Beats 58%C
2.4 Diesel1,55159.0%Beats 75%B
2001 Volvo S801 engine54.8% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Petrol2,82954.8%Beats 58%C
2000 Volvo S801 engine54.6% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Petrol1,58754.6%Beats 53%C
1999 Volvo S801 engine56.7% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Petrol1,00856.7%Beats 55%C

FAQ

What is the Volvo S80 MOT pass rate?

67.2% of MOT tests on the Volvo S80 were passed first time, based on 63,087 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 1999–2016. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 57.8% of the time.

Is the Volvo S80 reliable?

On MOT results it rates A (excellent): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 83% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Volvo S80 year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2014 S80 does best for its age and mileage: it beats 98% of cars on UK roads. The 2000 does worst: it beats 53%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Volvo S80?

The most common failure items are sidelights, headlight aim, tyre damage & cracking.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.