At a Glance
The Volvo S80 has 13 identified common problems across 2 generations, with the Mk1 (1998-2006) being the most affected generation and suspension the most common problem category. Based on 309K 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 S80 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 S80 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.
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Browse Volvo S80 Generations
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Most Common Volvo S80 MOT Failures
Every reason Volvo S80 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 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 13.08% |
| 2 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 9.09% |
| 3 | Number plate lamp not working | 7.34% |
| 4 | Tyre condition | 6.13% |
| 5 | Front lamp not working | 5.55% |
| 6 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 5.02% |
| 7 | Headlamp aim defect | 4.43% |
| 8 | Brake performance below minimum | 4.30% |
| 9 | Brake pads or linings worn | 3.62% |
| 10 | Driveshaft fault | 3.23% |
| 11 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 3.00% |
| 12 | Track rod end worn | 2.69% |
| 13 | Stop lamp not working | 2.46% |
| 14 | Position lamp not working | 2.33% |
| 15 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 2.12% |
| 16 | Exhaust system fault | 2.05% |
| 17 | Windscreen washer not working | 1.81% |
| 18 | Brake disc or drum worn | 1.67% |
| 19 | Front suspension joint worn | 1.61% |
| 20 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 1.48% |
| 21 | Rear lamp not working | 1.32% |
| 22 | ABS fault | 1.28% |
| 23 | Parking brake condition | 1.27% |
| 24 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 1.02% |
| 25 | Fog lamp not working | 0.85% |
| 26 | Headlamp fault | 0.78% |
| 27 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.71% |
| 28 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.66% |
| 29 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.65% |
| 30 | Indicator fault | 0.63% |
| 31 | Airbag warning light on | 0.63% |
| 32 | Steering rack fault | 0.56% |
| 33 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.49% |
| 34 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 0.48% |
| 35 | Seat belt condition | 0.41% |
| 36 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.31% |
| 37 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.25% |
| 38 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.25% |
| 39 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.21% |
| 40 | Steering arm worn | 0.20% |
| 41 | Front suspension fault | 0.19% |
| 42 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.18% |
| 43 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.16% |
| 44 | Outline marker lamp not working | 0.15% |
| 45 | Brake pedal fault | 0.15% |
| 46 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.15% |
| 47 | Steering free play excessive | 0.14% |
| 48 | Brake lever fault | 0.14% |
| 49 | Horn not working | 0.13% |
| 50 | Steering lock stop fault | 0.13% |
| 51 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.12% |
| 52 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.12% |
| 53 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.12% |
| 54 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.11% |
| 55 | Drag link end worn | 0.11% |
| 56 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.10% |
| 57 | Rear suspension fault | 0.08% |
| 58 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.08% |
| 59 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.07% |
| 60 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.07% |
| 61 | Brake caliper fault | 0.06% |
| 62 | Steering operation fault | 0.06% |
| 63 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.06% |
| 64 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.06% |
| 65 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.05% |
| 66 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.05% |
| 67 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.05% |
| 68 | Steering column fault | 0.05% |
| 69 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.05% |
| 70 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.05% |
| 71 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.04% |
| 72 | Speedometer fault | 0.04% |
| 73 | Electrical switch fault | 0.04% |
| 74 | Engine oil leak | 0.04% |
| 75 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.04% |
| 76 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.04% |
| 77 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.03% |
| 78 | Electronic parking brake fault | 0.03% |
| 79 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.03% |
| 80 | Headlamp washer not working | 0.03% |
| 81 | Driver airbag fault | 0.03% |
| 82 | Power steering pump fault | 0.03% |
| 83 | Steering lock fault | 0.03% |
| 84 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.03% |
| 85 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.02% |
| 86 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 87 | Brake fluid leak | 0.02% |
| 88 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.02% |
| 89 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.02% |
| 90 | Main beam warning light fault | 0.02% |
| 91 | Propshaft fault | 0.02% |
| 92 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.02% |
| 93 | Body security fault | 0.02% |
| 94 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.02% |
| 95 | Driver door fault | 0.02% |
| 96 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.02% |
| 97 | Front passenger door fault | 0.02% |
| 98 | Suspension unit fault | 0.01% |
| 99 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.01% |
| 100 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.01% |
| 101 | CV joint worn | 0.01% |
| 102 | Steering shaft fault | 0.01% |
| 103 | Power steering ram fault | 0.01% |
| 104 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.01% |
| 105 | Indicator warning light fault | 0.01% |
| 106 | Bumper damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 107 | Exhaust leak | <0.01% |
| 108 | Spring mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 109 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 110 | Undertray damaged or missing | <0.01% |
| 111 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 112 | Chassis condition | <0.01% |
| 113 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 114 | Vehicle structure corrosion | <0.01% |
| 115 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 116 | Driver seat fault | <0.01% |
| 117 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | <0.01% |
| 118 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 119 | Subframe corrosion or damage | <0.01% |
| 120 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 121 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 122 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 123 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 124 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 125 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 127 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 128 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 130 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 132 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 133 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 136 | Reversing lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 137 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 138 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 139 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 140 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 141 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 142 | Subframe mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 143 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 144 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 149 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 151 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 152 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 153 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 156 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 158 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 161 | Passenger seat fault | <0.01% |
| 162 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 163 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 164 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 165 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 166 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 167 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 168 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 169 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 170 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
Showing all 170 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Volvo S80 MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Volvo S80, 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Volvo S80 problems?
Based on analysis of 309K Volvo S80 MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 13 identified common problems across 2 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Number plate lamp not working". Suspension is the most common problem category.
Which Volvo S80 generation has the most problems?
The Volvo S80 Mk1 (1998-2006) (1998–2006) has the highest number of identified common problems (14). 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 S80?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Volvo S80 owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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