Used car guide

2015 Volvo S80: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Volvo S80 first registered in 2015: we looked at the 1,169 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,169MOTs of 2015 cars, done in 2023–2025
80%pass first time (all 2015 cars: 74%)
9,000typical miles a year
2.7×the usual rate for track rod ends

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2015 Volvo S80?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2015 Volvo S80 than on all cars registered in 2015.

  • Track rod ends2.7× usual
    Volvo S80
    7.7% All 2015 cars
    2.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.8%, against 1.4% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

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

Common 2015 Volvo S80 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2015 Volvo S80 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    28% 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.

  • Brakes
    20% 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.

  • Suspension
    13% 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
    9% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    4% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    2% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2015 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 track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the 2015 Volvo S80 as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Volvo S80?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Volvo S80 compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2016521Tyres 26%
20141,136Tyres 25%
20131,237Tyres 32%
20121,046Tyres 31%
20111,227Tyres 32%
20101,719Suspension 32%
20091,352Suspension 34%
20081,917Suspension 37%
20072,248Suspension 42%
20061,139Suspension 38%
20051,315Suspension 43%
20041,286Suspension 47%
20031,270Suspension 44%
20021,068Suspension 49%
2001694Suspension 47%
2000355Suspension 46%
1999250Suspension 46%
1998–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Volvo S80 cars first registered in 2015. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score