2005 Volvo S80 — MOT failures & pass rate
3,313 MOT tests on the 2005 Volvo S80 are in this dataset, and 76.6% of them passed. That is effectively the same as executive cars of a similar age (24.1% 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 15.5% of tests against 11.6% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, headlamp aim and rbt (sp) — position lamp alone was recorded 272 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 21.2% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 25.2% once past 150k.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 23.0% of the time against 23.5% for diesel.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 32.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 22.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 24.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.5% | 513 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.6% | 385 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.2% | 239 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.2% | 172 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.3% | 143 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.3% | 141 |
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 | 272 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 259 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 208 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 141 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 122 |
| 6 | Parking brake performance | 103 |
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 | 32.9% | 1,090 |
| 2 | Tyres | 25.5% | 845 |
| 3 | Brakes | 22.2% | 734 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 12.1% | 401 |
| 5 | Other defects | 11.3% | 374 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.6% | 352 |
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 | 132 | 21.2% |
| 60-90k | 370 | 18.6% |
| 90-120k | 679 | 22.2% |
| 120-150k | 860 | 24.2% |
| 150k+ | 1,260 | 25.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 2,613 | 23.5% |
| Petrol | 695 | 23.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 882 | 22.7% |
| 2022 | 769 | 22.6% |
| 2023 | 648 | 24.1% |
| 2024 | 561 | 24.1% |
| 2025 | 453 | 24.3% |
What to check before buying a 2005 S80
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 15.5% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (15.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.6% 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 (7.2% 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 2005 Volvo S80s pass their MOT?
76.6% of the 3,313 2005 Volvo S80 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Volvo S80?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.5% of tests, followed by brakes (11.6%).
Does the 2005 S80 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.2% in the 30-60k band to 25.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,313 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.