2011 Volvo S80 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2011 Volvo S80 passed 84.6% of its 2,537 recorded MOT tests. Against executive cars of a similar age (19.6% fail rate), the 2011 S80 comes out 4.2pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 11.8% of all tests — 6.6 points clear of tyres, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, position lamp and individual direction indicators — headlamp aim alone was recorded 111 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 6.8% in the 0-30k band and 18.4% in the 150k+ band, a 11.6-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 25.5% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.8% | 300 |
| 2 | Tyres | 5.2% | 132 |
| 3 | Suspension | 3.6% | 91 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.1% | 80 |
| 5 | Brakes | 3.0% | 76 |
| 6 | Steering | 2.4% | 60 |
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 | 111 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 108 |
| 3 | Individual direction indicators | 87 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 63 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 60 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 47 |
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 | 25.5% | 646 |
| 2 | Suspension | 19.2% | 487 |
| 3 | Brakes | 16.7% | 423 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 10.1% | 257 |
| 5 | Other defects | 8.4% | 213 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.0% | 127 |
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 | 44 | 6.8% |
| 30-60k | 216 | 12.0% |
| 60-90k | 533 | 15.2% |
| 90-120k | 618 | 13.3% |
| 120-150k | 484 | 16.7% |
| 150k+ | 642 | 18.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 2,415 | 15.4% |
| Petrol | 122 | 14.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 563 | 15.1% |
| 2022 | 522 | 13.4% |
| 2023 | 503 | 15.7% |
| 2024 | 492 | 17.1% |
| 2025 | 457 | 16.0% |
What to check before buying a 2011 S80
On a 2011 S80, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 11.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (11.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (5.2% 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 (3.6% 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 2011 Volvo S80s pass their MOT?
84.6% of the 2,537 2011 Volvo S80 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 15.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Volvo S80?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.8% of tests, followed by tyres (5.2%).
Does the 2011 S80 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.8% in the 0-30k band to 18.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,537 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.