2000 Volvo S80 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,003 MOT tests, the 2000 Volvo S80 recorded a 75.1% pass rate. That is 1.2 percentage points worse than executive cars of a similar age, which fail at 23.7%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 17.2% of all tests — 7.2 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, headlamp aim and pins and bushes — position lamp alone was recorded 81 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 21.1% in the 30-60k band and 26.2% in the 150k+ band, a 5.1-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 36.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 24.9% in 2021 to 21.6% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.2% | 172 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.0% | 100 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.5% | 95 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 5.7% | 57 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.0% | 50 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.8% | 48 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 81 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 70 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 51 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 43 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 38 |
| 6 | Wipers | 35 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 36.8% | 369 |
| 2 | Brakes | 23.8% | 239 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.0% | 231 |
| 4 | Other defects | 21.2% | 213 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 17.8% | 179 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.1% | 121 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 71 | 21.1% |
| 60-90k | 166 | 22.9% |
| 90-120k | 288 | 26.7% |
| 120-150k | 208 | 24.0% |
| 150k+ | 263 | 26.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 918 | 25.6% |
| Diesel | 85 | 17.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 285 | 24.9% |
| 2022 | 250 | 27.6% |
| 2023 | 183 | 21.9% |
| 2024 | 169 | 26.6% |
| 2025 | 116 | 21.6% |
What to check before buying a 2000 S80
On a 2000 S80, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (17.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.0% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (9.5% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2000 Volvo S80s pass their MOT?
75.1% of the 1,003 2000 Volvo S80 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2000 Volvo S80?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.2% of tests, followed by suspension (10.0%).
Does the 2000 S80 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.1% in the 30-60k band to 26.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,003 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.