At a Glance
The Volvo 850 has 35 identified common problems across 1 generation, with the 850 (1991-1997) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 256K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Volvo 850 common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Volvo 850 generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Volvo 850 owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Volvo 850 owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
Looking for a garage to repair your Volvo 850?
Search our directory of 12,000+ UK garages by service and postcode — every garage has verified Google reviews.
Browse Volvo 850 Generations
Select a generation to see its specific problems, MOT failures and advisories
Most Common Volvo 850 MOT Failures
Every reason Volvo 850 vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 11.74% |
| 2 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 10.94% |
| 3 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 5.97% |
| 4 | Brake performance below minimum | 5.06% |
| 5 | Stop lamp not working | 4.83% |
| 6 | Tyre condition | 4.07% |
| 7 | Brake disc or drum worn | 3.81% |
| 8 | Brake pads or linings worn | 3.75% |
| 9 | Headlamp aim defect | 3.55% |
| 10 | Windscreen washer not working | 3.51% |
| 11 | Front lamp not working | 2.88% |
| 12 | Number plate lamp not working | 2.74% |
| 13 | Parking brake condition | 2.58% |
| 14 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 2.51% |
| 15 | Exhaust system fault | 2.32% |
| 16 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 2.32% |
| 17 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 2.26% |
| 18 | Front suspension joint worn | 2.11% |
| 19 | Driveshaft fault | 2.08% |
| 20 | Track rod end worn | 2.08% |
| 21 | Rear lamp not working | 1.63% |
| 22 | Fog lamp not working | 1.25% |
| 23 | Front suspension fault | 1.15% |
| 24 | Position lamp not working | 0.80% |
| 25 | ABS fault | 0.79% |
| 26 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.79% |
| 27 | Steering rack fault | 0.77% |
| 28 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.72% |
| 29 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.67% |
| 30 | Horn not working | 0.64% |
| 31 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.62% |
| 32 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.51% |
| 33 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.49% |
| 34 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.49% |
| 35 | Indicator fault | 0.45% |
| 36 | Headlamp fault | 0.40% |
| 37 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.40% |
| 38 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.37% |
| 39 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.37% |
| 40 | Seat belt condition | 0.36% |
| 41 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 0.31% |
| 42 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.27% |
| 43 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.26% |
| 44 | Brake pedal fault | 0.23% |
| 45 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.20% |
| 46 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.18% |
| 47 | Brake fluid leak | 0.16% |
| 48 | Steering free play excessive | 0.15% |
| 49 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.15% |
| 50 | Airbag warning light on | 0.14% |
| 51 | Steering arm worn | 0.12% |
| 52 | Brake caliper fault | 0.12% |
| 53 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.11% |
| 54 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.10% |
| 55 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.10% |
| 56 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.10% |
| 57 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.09% |
| 58 | Steering operation fault | 0.09% |
| 59 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.09% |
| 60 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.09% |
| 61 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.09% |
| 62 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.08% |
| 63 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.08% |
| 64 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.08% |
| 65 | Chassis condition | 0.07% |
| 66 | Drag link end worn | 0.07% |
| 67 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.07% |
| 68 | Steering lock stop fault | 0.07% |
| 69 | Towbar fault | 0.07% |
| 70 | Engine oil leak | 0.07% |
| 71 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.07% |
| 72 | Brake lever fault | 0.06% |
| 73 | Body security fault | 0.06% |
| 74 | Power steering ram fault | 0.06% |
| 75 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.05% |
| 76 | Electrical switch fault | 0.05% |
| 77 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.05% |
| 78 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.05% |
| 79 | Rear suspension fault | 0.05% |
| 80 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.05% |
| 81 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.04% |
| 82 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.04% |
| 83 | Steering lock fault | 0.04% |
| 84 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.04% |
| 85 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.03% |
| 86 | Steering coupling worn | 0.03% |
| 87 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.03% |
| 88 | CV joint worn | 0.03% |
| 89 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | 0.03% |
| 90 | Speedometer fault | 0.03% |
| 91 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.03% |
| 92 | Power steering pump fault | 0.03% |
| 93 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.02% |
| 94 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.02% |
| 95 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.02% |
| 96 | Propshaft fault | 0.02% |
| 97 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 98 | Suspension unit fault | 0.02% |
| 99 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.02% |
| 100 | Steering drive system fault | 0.02% |
| 101 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.02% |
| 102 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 103 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.02% |
| 104 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.02% |
| 105 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.02% |
| 106 | Passenger seat fault | 0.02% |
| 107 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 108 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.01% |
| 109 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | 0.01% |
| 110 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.01% |
| 111 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 112 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 113 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 114 | Steering column fault | <0.01% |
| 115 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 116 | Exhaust leak | <0.01% |
| 117 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 118 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 119 | Driver seat fault | <0.01% |
| 120 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 121 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 122 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 123 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 124 | Driver door fault | <0.01% |
| 125 | Front passenger door fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 127 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 128 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 130 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 131 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 135 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 138 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 139 | Undertray damaged or missing | <0.01% |
| 140 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 141 | Driver airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 144 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 145 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Headlamp washer not working | <0.01% |
| 149 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 151 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 152 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 153 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 154 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 156 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 157 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 158 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 159 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 160 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 161 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 162 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 163 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 164 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
Showing all 164 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Volvo 850 MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Volvo 850, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
Join as a car owner — free
Get MOT reminders, a pre-MOT checklist, and tools to compare garages near you.
MOT Reminders
Free email alerts 28 and 7 days before your MOT expires.
44-Point MOT Checklist
Printable checklist to inspect your car before the test.
Save Favourite Garages
Save garages you trust and compare their ratings side by side.
Already a member? Sign in
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Volvo 850 problems?
Based on analysis of 256K Volvo 850 MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 35 identified common problems across 1 generation. The most frequently flagged issue is "Driveshaft fault". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Volvo 850 generation has the most problems?
The Volvo 850 850 (1991-1997) (1991–1997) has the highest number of identified common problems (43). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Volvo 850?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Volvo 850 owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
Search Vehicles With Common Problems
Find common car problems, MOT failures, and advisories for any make and model
