2003 Volvo S80 — MOT failures & pass rate
3,299 MOT tests on the 2003 Volvo S80 are in this dataset, and 75.3% of them passed. That is effectively the same as executive cars of a similar age (24.4% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.9% of tests against 12.3% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, headlamp aim and rbt (sp) — position lamp alone was recorded 282 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 14.0% in the 30-60k band and 26.9% in the 150k+ band, a 12.8-point spread.
The petrol cars hold up better: 23.6% fail against 26.1% for diesel, a 2.5-point gap across 3,297 tests.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 34.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.9% | 525 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.3% | 404 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.4% | 309 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.1% | 200 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.9% | 161 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.8% | 126 |
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 | 282 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 251 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 216 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 178 |
| 5 | Joints | 113 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 107 |
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 | 34.7% | 1,144 |
| 2 | Tyres | 27.2% | 896 |
| 3 | Brakes | 23.6% | 780 |
| 4 | Other defects | 15.8% | 521 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 13.0% | 428 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.6% | 417 |
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 | 100 | 14.0% |
| 60-90k | 493 | 20.7% |
| 90-120k | 820 | 24.6% |
| 120-150k | 739 | 25.0% |
| 150k+ | 1,095 | 26.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,858 | 23.6% |
| Diesel | 1,439 | 26.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 910 | 24.3% |
| 2022 | 772 | 23.8% |
| 2023 | 651 | 26.4% |
| 2024 | 534 | 25.7% |
| 2025 | 432 | 23.4% |
What to check before buying a 2003 S80
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 15.9% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (15.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.3% 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.
- Suspension (9.4% 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.
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 2003 Volvo S80s pass their MOT?
75.3% of the 3,299 2003 Volvo S80 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Volvo S80?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.9% of tests, followed by brakes (12.3%).
Does the 2003 S80 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.0% in the 30-60k band to 26.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,299 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.