Used car guide

1996 Volvo 800 Series: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1996 Volvo 800 Seriess, from 778 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

778MOT tests in 2025
61%pass first time (all 1996 cars: 67%)
5,000typical miles a year
3.1×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 1996 Volvo 800 Seriess than on all cars registered in 1996.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints3.1× usual
    Volvo 800 Series
    12.7% All 1996 cars
    4.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.6%, against 1.6% of all 1996 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Anti-lock braking system9.7× usual
    Volvo 800 Series
    6.8% All 1996 cars
    0.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.8%, against 0.7% of all 1996 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

  • Ball joint2.1× usual
    Volvo 800 Series
    8.2% All 1996 cars
    3.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 1.2% of all 1996 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints3.1× usual
    Volvo 800 Series
    4% All 1996 cars
    1.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.4%, against 0.4% of all 1996 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Better than most

Chassis rust or damage: 2.8% here, against 6.5% of all 1996 cars.

By area

The share of 1996 Volvo 800 Series MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    39% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    31% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    30% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    26% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    23% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    17% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
1997132Suspension 44%
1995506Suspension 35%
1994164Suspension 38%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1996 Volvo 800 Seriess registered in 1996. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score