2010 Volvo S80 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,562 MOT tests, the 2010 Volvo S80 recorded an 83.4% pass rate. That is 4.2 percentage points better than executive cars of a similar age, which fail at 20.8%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.0% of tests against 5.4% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, position lamp and individual direction indicators — headlamp aim alone was recorded 171 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.3% in the 0-30k band and 17.2% in the 150k+ band, a 8.9-point spread — more than double.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 26.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 16.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 18.5% 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% | 391 |
| 2 | Tyres | 5.4% | 191 |
| 3 | Suspension | 4.2% | 149 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.6% | 129 |
| 5 | Brakes | 3.5% | 125 |
| 6 | Steering | 2.9% | 102 |
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 | 171 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 148 |
| 3 | Individual direction indicators | 109 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 104 |
| 5 | Washers | 98 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 85 |
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 | 26.2% | 932 |
| 2 | Suspension | 23.5% | 839 |
| 3 | Brakes | 19.3% | 689 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 10.7% | 381 |
| 5 | Other defects | 10.2% | 362 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.5% | 269 |
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 | 48 | 8.3% |
| 30-60k | 242 | 14.5% |
| 60-90k | 669 | 13.9% |
| 90-120k | 778 | 17.7% |
| 120-150k | 828 | 17.9% |
| 150k+ | 995 | 17.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 3,367 | 16.8% |
| Petrol | 195 | 13.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 782 | 16.1% |
| 2022 | 754 | 16.2% |
| 2023 | 719 | 16.6% |
| 2024 | 676 | 15.7% |
| 2025 | 631 | 18.5% |
What to check before buying a 2010 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.
- Tyres (5.4% 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.
- Suspension (4.2% 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 2010 Volvo S80s pass their MOT?
83.4% of the 3,562 2010 Volvo S80 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Volvo S80?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.0% of tests, followed by tyres (5.4%).
Does the 2010 S80 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.3% in the 0-30k band to 17.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,562 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.