2012 Volvo S80 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2012 Volvo S80 passed 82.5% of its 2,168 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as executive cars of a similar age (18.4% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.6% of tests against 4.9% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are individual direction indicators, track rod end and position lamp — individual direction indicators alone was recorded 91 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2012 S80 fails 17.1% of the time in the 0-30k band and 20.0% at 150k+, a spread of only 2.8 points.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 25.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 14.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 22.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.6% | 230 |
| 2 | Tyres | 4.9% | 106 |
| 3 | Suspension | 4.7% | 101 |
| 4 | Brakes | 3.7% | 80 |
| 5 | Steering | 3.5% | 77 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.9% | 64 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Individual direction indicators | 91 |
| 2 | Track rod end | 82 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 80 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 59 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 58 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 53 |
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 | 25.2% | 547 |
| 2 | Brakes | 16.0% | 346 |
| 3 | Suspension | 14.8% | 321 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 9.0% | 196 |
| 5 | Other defects | 8.0% | 173 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.0% | 109 |
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 | 17.1% |
| 30-60k | 275 | 14.9% |
| 60-90k | 508 | 15.2% |
| 90-120k | 542 | 18.4% |
| 120-150k | 387 | 18.4% |
| 150k+ | 421 | 20.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 2,054 | 17.2% |
| Petrol | 114 | 21.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 447 | 14.5% |
| 2022 | 444 | 17.1% |
| 2023 | 421 | 15.4% |
| 2024 | 423 | 17.7% |
| 2025 | 433 | 22.6% |
What to check before buying a 2012 S80
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 10.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (10.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- 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.
- Suspension (4.7% 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 2012 Volvo S80s pass their MOT?
82.5% of the 2,168 2012 Volvo S80 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Volvo S80?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.6% of tests, followed by tyres (4.9%).
Does the 2012 S80 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.1% in the 0-30k band to 20.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,168 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.