2007 Volvo S80 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 5,079 MOT tests, the 2007 Volvo S80 recorded an 80.1% pass rate. Executive cars of a similar age fail 23.2% of the time, so this is 3.3pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.7% of tests against 7.9% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, headlamp aim and washers — position lamp alone was recorded 253 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 14.8% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 22.7% once past 150k.
The petrol cars hold up better: 17.5% fail against 20.4% for diesel, a 2.9-point gap across 5,079 tests.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 32.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 17.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 20.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.7% | 646 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.9% | 400 |
| 3 | Tyres | 5.1% | 261 |
| 4 | Brakes | 4.7% | 238 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.3% | 218 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.5% | 177 |
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 | 253 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 243 |
| 3 | Washers | 164 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 140 |
| 5 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 132 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 131 |
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 | 32.0% | 1,628 |
| 2 | Tyres | 26.5% | 1,347 |
| 3 | Brakes | 21.8% | 1,109 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.0% | 609 |
| 5 | Other defects | 11.6% | 591 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 11.6% | 588 |
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 | 209 | 14.8% |
| 60-90k | 631 | 17.9% |
| 90-120k | 1,161 | 18.5% |
| 120-150k | 1,296 | 19.2% |
| 150k+ | 1,760 | 22.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 4,121 | 20.4% |
| Petrol | 958 | 17.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,214 | 17.6% |
| 2022 | 1,124 | 19.3% |
| 2023 | 1,034 | 20.5% |
| 2024 | 926 | 22.1% |
| 2025 | 781 | 20.7% |
What to check before buying a 2007 S80
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 12.7% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (12.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.9% 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.
- Tyres (5.1% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 2007 Volvo S80s pass their MOT?
80.1% of the 5,079 2007 Volvo S80 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Volvo S80?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.7% of tests, followed by suspension (7.9%).
Does the 2007 S80 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.8% in the 30-60k band to 22.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,079 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.