Volvo S80 common problems and MOT failures

What usually goes wrong with a Volvo S80?

We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Volvo S80 in the UK buying guides we use yet. That doesn’t mean it has none, so check the car carefully and look at the MOT weak spots below.

Common Volvo S80 MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

• Anti-roll bar bushes and joints

  up to 3.3× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005.

  Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

  At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints

  up to 2.5× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005.

  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.

• Steering rack inner joints

  up to 4.8× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2001, 2002 and 2003.

  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.

• Handbrake performance

  up to 2.3× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2003, 2004 and 2005.

  Rough price £80–£300 our estimate

  At the viewing: Pull the handbrake on a slope. It should hold the car within a few clicks.

• Individual direction indicators

  up to 2.2× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2002, 2010 and 2012.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Volvo S80 MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2010 Volvo S80 did best (72% passed first time, 12 points above all 2010 cars) and the 2005 did worst (61%, 4 points above all 2005 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Volvo S80

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.3× as often on the Volvo S80 as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the Volvo S80 as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the steering rack inner joints? (Flagged at MOT 4.8× as often on the Volvo S80 as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?