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Volvo 800 Series reliability by build year

Coverage 1991-19971 named generationSaloonDIESEL / PETROL
At a glance

Volvo 800 Series built before 2000: about average at the MOT

Volvo 800 Series models built before 2000 fail their MOT a little more often than similar cars the same age. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Check a Volvo 800 Series by number plate

Key figure

29% of MOT tests on Volvo 800 Series models built before 2000 ended in a fail (retests included), against 24% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Volvo 800 Series models built before 2000 involves the suspension.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Volvo 800 Series's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Leaks

Worth checking

Inspect the leaks carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your 800 Series's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

800 Series 850 / V70 Mk1 era

850 / V70 Mk1 era (1991-1997)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROLDIESEL

28.8% fail rate, built before 2000 (over 25 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 25.2%)

From 2,144 MOT tests at this ageView details →

By age

Volvo 800 Series fail rate by age

This chart combines every Volvo 800 Series ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
2,14428.8%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 25+ years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 25+ year old Volvo 800 Series models

These issues come from 25+ year old Volvo 800 Series models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    21.4%
    Advisory: 462Fail: 12 (3% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    19.3%
    Advisory: 484Fail: 136 (22% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    12.9%
    Advisory: 393Fail: 14 (3% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    12.9%
    Advisory: 363Fail: 86 (19% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Exhaust has a minor leak

    11.1%
    Advisory: 226Fail: 37 (14% of the times it was found)

Based on 2,144 MOT tests on 25+ year old Volvo 800 Series models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 25+ year old Volvo 800 Series models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Brakes + Suspension29%
  2. Suspension + Tyres21%
  3. Other + Suspension20%
  4. Fuel & oil + Suspension20%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 1,233 MOT tests on Volvo 800 Series cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Volvo 800 Series.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

7 recalls in all

5 of the 7 Volvo 800 Series recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 5 recalls

Top concerns

  • Possibility of throttle sticking
  • The seat belt catch could become detached in a collision situation
  • Vehicle jack is faulty

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other saloons to compare

Other saloons to compare

  1. 1

    Nissan Skyline

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.8%
    Dangerous
    2.1%

    Lower fail rate: 10.7%, against 28.8% for the Volvo 800 Series, both built before 2000.

    1,007 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  2. 2

    Morris Minor 1000

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    18.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    8.8%
    Dangerous
    4.8%

    Lower fail rate: 18.5%, against 28.8% for the Volvo 800 Series, both built before 2000.

    1,272 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  3. 3

    Jaguar XJ

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    21.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    93.8%

    Lower fail rate: 21.2%, against 28.8% for the Volvo 800 Series, both built before 2000.

    5 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    4,238 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  4. 4

    BMW 3 Series

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    22.8%
    Still registered at 10 years
    89.8%

    Lower fail rate: 22.8%, against 28.8% for the Volvo 800 Series, both built before 2000.

    15 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    17,892 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built before 2000 (over 25 years old), the Volvo 800 Series across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. This is based on 2,144 25+ year old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Volvo 800 Series ever sold: 2,144 tests. The main figures are for cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old): 2,144 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.