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Volvo S80 reliability by build year

Coverage 2006-20161 named generationSaloonDIESEL / PETROL

We've only got 781 MOT tests for Volvo S80 models built around 2008 (17 years old). Treat these numbers as a rough guide.

At a glance

Volvo S80 built around 2008: about average at the MOT

Volvo S80 models built around 2008 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Check a Volvo S80 by number plate

Key figure

26% of MOT tests on Volvo S80 models built around 2008 ended in a fail (retests included), against 27% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Volvo S80 models built around 2008 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Volvo S80'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.

Tyres

Worth checking

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

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

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

Suspension springs

Worth checking

Check ride height is even side-to-side and look for cracked or rusted coils.

Suspension

Worth checking

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

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

Over the last three years, fail rates have fallen two years running. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your S80's generation

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

S80 Mk2

Mk2 (2006-2016)

Not enough tests to rate
DIESELPETROL

15.8% fail rate, built around 2016 (9 years old)

Likely between 12.4% and 19.9%

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 5 MOTs, 20.8%)

From 362 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Pre

Older models (before 2005)

DIESELPETROL

28.4% fail rate, built around 2004 (21 years old)

Likely between 24.6% and 32.6%

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.1%)

From 496 MOT tests at this ageLimited data

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Volvo S80.

See every build year for the Volvo S80

Side-by-side

Volvo S80 generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
Mk2 (2006-2016)
No ratingNot enough tests to rate
No ratingNot enough tests to rate15.8%likely between 12.4% and 19.9%built around 2016 (9 years old)from 362 MOT tests at this age
Older models (before 2005)
No rating
No rating28.4%likely between 24.6% and 32.6%built around 2004 (21 years old)from 496 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the S80, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Volvo S80 fail rate by age

This chart combines every Volvo S80 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
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
36215.8%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
42816.6%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
45518.0%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
51024.3%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
44423.4%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
54122.6%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
61922.9%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
59523.9%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
78126.0%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
73124.2%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
38726.1%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
46128.8%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
49628.4%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
38428.4%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
33829.6%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
17031.8%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
16227.2%

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 24 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 17-year-old Volvo S80 models

These issues come from 17-year-old Volvo S80 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelNot much data

Most common advisories and fails

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

  1. 1
    Advisory

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

    21.4%
    Advisory: 238Fail: 10 (4% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

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

    17.0%
    Advisory: 195Fail: 15 (7% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    13.8%
    Advisory: 149Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Coil spring corroded

    12.9%
    Advisory: 152Fail: 11 (7% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    11.1%
    Advisory: 104Fail: 23 (18% of the times it was found)

Based on 781 MOT tests on 17-year-old Volvo S80 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 17-year-old Volvo S80 models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelEnough data
  1. Suspension + Tyres30%
  2. Lighting + Suspension26%
  3. Brakes + Suspension23%
  4. Body & structure + Suspension20%

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

Across 420 MOT tests on Volvo S80 cars built around 2008 (17 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 S80.

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

50 recalls in all

13 of the 50 Volvo S80 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 12 more

Top concerns

  • Coolant leakage may result in a fire
  • There is a risk for trapped air to be in the cooling system which may result in insufficient cooling of engine componen
  • There is a risk for trapped air to be in the cooling system

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

    Lexus IS

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    21%

    Lower fail rate: 21.0%, against 26.0% for the Volvo S80, both built around 2008.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    2,033 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

  2. 2

    Lexus IS

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    23.1%

    Lower fail rate: 23.1%, against 26.0% for the Volvo S80, both built around 2008.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    1,065 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

  3. 3

    Chrysler 300

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    27.3%

    No clear edge over the Volvo S80 on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    1,092 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

  4. 4

    BMW 5 Series

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    23.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    7.8%
    Dangerous
    6.7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    82.6%

    Lower fail rate: 23.3%, against 26.0% for the Volvo S80, both built around 2008.

    12 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    8,185 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

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 around 2008 (17 years old), the Volvo S80 across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 781 17-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Volvo S80 ever sold: 7,864 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2008 (17 years old): 781 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.