2013 Volvo S80 — MOT failures & pass rate
2,560 MOT tests on the 2013 Volvo S80 are in this dataset, and 83.4% of them passed. Executive cars of a similar age fail at 16.9%, so the 2013 S80 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (7.3%) and tyres (6.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, track rod end and headlamp aim — tread depth alone was recorded 87 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 19.8% versus 11.0%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 26.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 14.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 16.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 7.3% | 187 |
| 2 | Tyres | 6.2% | 159 |
| 3 | Brakes | 3.6% | 93 |
| 4 | Suspension | 2.7% | 70 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.7% | 68 |
| 6 | Steering | 2.5% | 65 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 87 |
| 2 | Track rod end | 79 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 56 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 56 |
| 5 | On or after 01/07/2008 | 52 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 48 |
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 | 26.3% | 673 |
| 2 | Brakes | 16.9% | 433 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.7% | 300 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 6.6% | 168 |
| 5 | Other defects | 6.2% | 158 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.3% | 110 |
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 | 73 | 11.0% |
| 30-60k | 509 | 14.9% |
| 60-90k | 693 | 15.6% |
| 90-120k | 588 | 16.2% |
| 120-150k | 359 | 20.1% |
| 150k+ | 338 | 19.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 535 | 14.6% |
| 2022 | 533 | 17.1% |
| 2023 | 509 | 17.3% |
| 2024 | 510 | 17.6% |
| 2025 | 473 | 16.7% |
What to check before buying a 2013 S80
On a 2013 S80, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 7.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (7.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (6.2% 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.
- Brakes (3.6% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2013 Volvo S80s pass their MOT?
83.4% of the 2,560 2013 Volvo S80 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Volvo S80?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 7.3% of tests, followed by tyres (6.2%).
Does the 2013 S80 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.0% in the 0-30k band to 19.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,560 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.