2008 Volvo S80 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2008 Volvo S80 passed 81.5% of its 4,311 recorded MOT tests. Against executive cars of a similar age (22.5% fail rate), the 2008 S80 comes out 4.0pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 12.7% of all tests — 4.9 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, position lamp and washers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 236 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 20.3% versus 14.3%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 27.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 17.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 20.4% 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% | 547 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.8% | 338 |
| 3 | Tyres | 4.9% | 211 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.5% | 193 |
| 5 | Brakes | 3.7% | 159 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.6% | 157 |
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 | 236 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 206 |
| 3 | Washers | 133 |
| 4 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 119 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 113 |
| 6 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 99 |
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 | 27.4% | 1,182 |
| 2 | Tyres | 27.0% | 1,163 |
| 3 | Brakes | 18.8% | 812 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.8% | 466 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 10.6% | 457 |
| 6 | Other defects | 9.2% | 397 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 35 | 14.3% |
| 30-60k | 218 | 14.2% |
| 60-90k | 550 | 14.2% |
| 90-120k | 972 | 18.7% |
| 120-150k | 1,044 | 19.0% |
| 150k+ | 1,486 | 20.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 3,834 | 18.8% |
| Petrol | 477 | 15.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,023 | 17.0% |
| 2022 | 954 | 18.2% |
| 2023 | 859 | 18.2% |
| 2024 | 783 | 19.4% |
| 2025 | 692 | 20.4% |
What to check before buying a 2008 S80
On a 2008 S80, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- 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 (7.8% 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.
- Tyres (4.9% 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 2008 Volvo S80s pass their MOT?
81.5% of the 4,311 2008 Volvo S80 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Volvo S80?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.7% of tests, followed by suspension (7.8%).
Does the 2008 S80 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.3% in the 0-30k band to 20.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,311 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.