2006 Volvo S80 — MOT failures & pass rate
2,638 MOT tests on the 2006 Volvo S80 are in this dataset, and 79.9% of them passed. Executive cars of a similar age fail 23.7% of the time, so this is 3.6pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 14.1% of all tests — 6.3 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, position lamp and headlamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 168 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 10.1% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 23.0% once past 150k — 2.3× the risk.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 6.4pp more often than petrol ones (21.5% vs 15.1%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 31.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 18.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 20.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.1% | 371 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.8% | 205 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.9% | 155 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.9% | 129 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.1% | 107 |
| 6 | Steering | 3.8% | 100 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 168 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 162 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 82 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 81 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 77 |
| 6 | Washers | 77 |
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 | 31.4% | 827 |
| 2 | Tyres | 25.6% | 676 |
| 3 | Brakes | 20.6% | 544 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 12.5% | 330 |
| 5 | Other defects | 11.8% | 311 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.0% | 289 |
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 | 109 | 10.1% |
| 60-90k | 299 | 14.1% |
| 90-120k | 550 | 19.3% |
| 120-150k | 701 | 21.1% |
| 150k+ | 964 | 23.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 2,068 | 21.5% |
| Petrol | 570 | 15.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 642 | 18.5% |
| 2022 | 601 | 19.8% |
| 2023 | 529 | 21.6% |
| 2024 | 468 | 21.1% |
| 2025 | 398 | 20.1% |
What to check before buying a 2006 S80
On a 2006 S80, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (14.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.8% 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 (5.9% 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 2006 Volvo S80s pass their MOT?
79.9% of the 2,638 2006 Volvo S80 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Volvo S80?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.1% of tests, followed by suspension (7.8%).
Does the 2006 S80 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.1% in the 30-60k band to 23.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,638 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.