Volvo S80 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Volvo S80 car check
Is the Volvo S80 reliable? We analysed 422,980 real MOT tests across 31,257 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Volvo S80? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Volvo S80 is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, position lamp(s) not working and registration plate lamp not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Volvo S80.
Volvo S80 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Volvo S80. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Volvo S80 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Volvo S80 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Volvo S80 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Volvo S80 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Volvo S80 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Volvo S80 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Volvo S80 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Volvo S80 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 1,545 | 88.5% | 33,740 | 54,085 | 82,957 |
| 2015 | 3,954 | 85.9% | 39,229 | 61,548 | 90,253 |
| 2014 | 4,458 | 84.8% | 42,684 | 65,235 | 96,209 |
| 2013 | 5,765 | 82.7% | 44,892 | 70,901 | 104,338 |
| 2012 | 5,763 | 79.8% | 52,218 | 81,452 | 118,137 |
| 2011 | 7,624 | 80.9% | 55,743 | 86,294 | 128,069 |
| 2010 | 11,989 | 80.5% | 58,554 | 90,921 | 130,108 |
| 2009 | 11,055 | 78.3% | 57,893 | 90,642 | 128,524 |
| 2008 | 19,686 | 79.1% | 63,720 | 96,918 | 135,762 |
| 2007 | 27,118 | 79.3% | 63,128 | 95,880 | 133,113 |
| 2006 | 16,893 | 77.4% | 64,965 | 98,288 | 136,295 |
| 2005 | 28,249 | 74.2% | 67,839 | 101,484 | 141,663 |
| 2004 | 35,293 | 73.5% | 65,650 | 98,289 | 136,556 |
| 2003 | 47,316 | 72.0% | 64,156 | 96,140 | 134,042 |
| 2002 | 58,411 | 70.8% | 68,936 | 99,074 | 134,189 |
| 2001 | 51,177 | 69.4% | 74,102 | 101,971 | 132,916 |
| 2000 | 44,269 | 68.9% | 77,906 | 104,813 | 135,380 |
| 1999 | 36,066 | 68.9% | 82,854 | 108,305 | 137,512 |
| 1998 | 5,943 | 68.7% | 77,523 | 98,998 | 125,497 |
How Long Does a Volvo S80 Last?
Based on 31,257 Volvo S80 vehicles on UK roads.
Volvo S80 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Volvo S80 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Volvo S80
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
88.5% MOT pass rate from 1,545 tests
68.7% MOT pass rate from 5,943 tests
The best year to buy a used Volvo S80 is 2016, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 88.5% across 1,545 tests. The 1998 model year has the lowest pass rate at 68.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Volvo S80 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volvo S80 THIS CAR | 73.3% | 422,980 | 98,547 mi | 28 yrs |
| Volvo V70 | 71% | 1,930,508 | 113,181 mi | 29 yrs |
| Volvo V40 | 73.7% | 1,865,374 | 76,415 mi | 30 yrs |
| Volvo S40 | 69.9% | 1,390,271 | 84,701 mi | 30 yrs |
| Ford Ecosport | 83.3% | 716,341 | 32,082 mi | 12 yrs |
Compared to the Volvo V70 (71.0% pass rate) and the Volvo V40 (73.7% pass rate), the Volvo S80 sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Volvo S80 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Volvo S80Should you buy a used Volvo S80?
The Volvo S80 has an overall MOT pass rate of 73.3% across 422,980 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Volvo S80 are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (16,357 recorded failures), position lamp(s) not working (13,908), and registration plate lamp not working (9,544). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Volvo S80 owner drives around 7,037 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Volvo S80 models stay on UK roads for around 28 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.