2009 Volvo S80 — MOT failures & pass rate
2,865 MOT tests on the 2009 Volvo S80 are in this dataset, and 82.0% of them passed. Executive cars of a similar age fail 21.7% of the time, so this is 3.7pp 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 11.0% of tests against 6.9% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are washers, headlamp aim and position lamp — washers alone was recorded 129 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 20.0% versus 15.1%.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 25.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 15.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 19.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.0% | 316 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.9% | 197 |
| 3 | Tyres | 5.5% | 156 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.0% | 143 |
| 5 | Brakes | 3.4% | 97 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.0% | 57 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washers | 129 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 128 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 112 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 79 |
| 5 | Shock absorbers | 78 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 66 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 25.9% | 743 |
| 2 | Suspension | 25.8% | 738 |
| 3 | Brakes | 20.2% | 578 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 11.0% | 316 |
| 5 | Other defects | 8.9% | 255 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.7% | 191 |
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 | 238 | 15.1% |
| 60-90k | 419 | 14.1% |
| 90-120k | 673 | 18.1% |
| 120-150k | 732 | 19.5% |
| 150k+ | 787 | 20.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 2,479 | 18.7% |
| Petrol | 386 | 14.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 623 | 15.7% |
| 2022 | 603 | 16.1% |
| 2023 | 591 | 19.5% |
| 2024 | 562 | 20.3% |
| 2025 | 486 | 19.1% |
What to check before buying a 2009 S80
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 11.0% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (11.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (6.9% 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 (5.5% 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 2009 Volvo S80s pass their MOT?
82.0% of the 2,865 2009 Volvo S80 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Volvo S80?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.0% of tests, followed by suspension (6.9%).
Does the 2009 S80 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.1% in the 30-60k band to 20.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,865 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.