2008 Volvo S80 MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 67.2% of Volvo S80s first used in 2008 passed their MOT first time, against 57.2% for all cars first used in 2008. Across 1,921 S80 first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, suspension and tyres.

This page analyses first MOT tests for Volvo S80s first used in 2008 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.

Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026

Passed first time, 2025
67.2%
of 564 first tests; all cars first used in 2008: 57.2%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
1,921
first tests, 2023–2025; 564 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
28.0%
of 564 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
136,000
middle half: 103,500–168,000 miles; all cars first used in 2008: 105,500

How the 2008 Volvo S80 MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, S80s first used in 2008 against all cars first used in 2008 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the S80 figure was 10.0 points higher.

2008 S80All cars first used in 2008
50%60%70%80%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 2008, test year 2021: 58%All cars first used in 2008, test year 2022: 57.9%All cars first used in 2008, test year 2023: 57.4%All cars first used in 2008, test year 2024: 56.9%All cars first used in 2008, test year 2025: 57.2%2008 S80, test year 2021: 71.2%2008 S80, test year 2022: 69.6%2008 S80, test year 2023: 70.6%2008 S80, test year 2024: 68.6%2008 S80, test year 2025: 67.2%67.2%57.2%
View this chart as a table
Test year2008 S80All cars first used 2008S80 first tests
202171.2%58.0%859
202269.6%57.9%800
202370.6%57.4%714
202468.6%56.9%643
202567.2%57.2%564

Common 2008 Volvo S80 MOT failures

Share of the 597 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment50.1%
Suspension32.0%
Tyres18.8%
Visibility18.8%
Brakes15.6%
Body, chassis, structure12.9%
Steering10.2%
Noise, emissions and leaks5.7%

Most common failure items

DVSA failure itemShare of failed first testsTests
Position lamp: not working15.6%93
Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt11.4%68
Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid8.4%50

Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.

What to check on a 2008 Volvo S80 before buying

The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.

  1. Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
  2. Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
  3. Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.

Common 2008 Volvo S80 MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2008 S80s, as a share of all 1,921 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge19.1%366
Coil spring: corroded11.5%221
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened9.0%172
Brake pads: wearing thin7.6%146
Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement7.2%139

Questions about the 2008 Volvo S80 MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 2008 Volvo S80?

In 2025, 67.2% of S80s first used in 2008 passed their MOT first time, against 57.2% for all cars first used in 2008. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

What does a 2008 S80 most often fail its MOT on?

Lamps and electrical equipment (in 50.1% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), suspension (32.0%) and tyres (18.8%). The single most common item was “Position lamp: not working” (15.6%).

How often does a 2008 Volvo S80 fail its MOT?

In 2025, 32.8% of first tests on S80s first used in 2008 did not pass first time: 25.0% failed, and a further 7.8% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 597 of 1,921 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 2008 Volvo S80 MOT advisories?

“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 19.1% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Coil spring: corroded” (11.5%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (9.0%), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (7.6%) and “Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement” (7.2%).

Is a 2008 Volvo S80 reliable?

An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 71.2% in 2021 to 67.2% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 2008

The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.

2008 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2008 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2008 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2008 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2008 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics

How the 2008 Volvo S80 MOT data is calculated

Every number on this page is calculated by SortedCars from DVSA’s anonymised MOT test data for Great Britain, 2021–2025. “2008 S80” means a Volvo S80 whose date of first use falls in 2008 (57, 08 and 58 plates), all trims grouped. Class 4 vehicles, first tests only — retests are not counted. Pass rate = passed ÷ all first tests; a car with a fault fixed during the test (PRS) counts as a fail. Our national first-test pass rate matches DVSA’s published figure (table DVSA/MOT/01) to within 0.04 points in every year. Clean pass = passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded. Mileage is the reading recorded at the test. Comparisons are with all cars first used in 2008, any make or fuel, and are not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use. Failure and advisory item names are DVSA’s own wording. No figure is shown for fewer than 500 tests; an item is shown only if it appears on at least 50 tests and 1% of the base. Pass rates describe a group of cars, not one car: a well-kept example can pass and a neglected one can fail. This page is general information, not advice about any particular vehicle; always have a used car inspected before you buy. SortedCars is not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. You can check any car’s MOT history free on the official service: gov.uk/check-mot-history. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.