Used car guide

2002 Volvo S80: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2002 Volvo S80s, from 285 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 285 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

285MOT tests in 2025
61%pass first time (all 2002 cars: 60%)
5,300typical miles a year
4.7×the usual rate for steering rack inner joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2002 Volvo S80s than on all cars registered in 2002.

  • Steering rack inner joints4.7× usual
    Volvo S80
    17.5% All 2002 cars
    3.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.2× usual
    Volvo S80
    17.9% All 2002 cars
    8.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 1.8% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 8.4% here, against 17.1% of all 2002 cars.

By area

The share of 2002 Volvo S80 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    50% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    34% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Brakes
    32% 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.

  • Tyres
    32% 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.

  • Steering
    20% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    12% 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.

Looking at a Volvo S80?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2016174Tyres 29%
2015382Tyres 31%
2014367Tyres 26%
2013402Tyres 33%
2012345Tyres 35%
2011391Suspension 30%
2010531Suspension 38%
2009405Suspension 38%
2008564Suspension 40%
2007648Suspension 46%
2006327Suspension 42%
2005361Suspension 42%
2004345Suspension 49%
2003346Suspension 44%
2001178Suspension 49%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2002 Volvo S80s registered in 2002. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score