2016 Volvo S80 — MOT failures & pass rate
976 MOT tests on the 2016 Volvo S80 are in this dataset, and 90.2% of them passed. Against executive cars of a similar age (12.7% fail rate), the 2016 S80 comes out 2.9pp better. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and steering.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (5.8%) and lighting & signalling (3.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, tread depth and track rod end — headlamp aim alone was recorded 25 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 4.7% in the 0-30k band and 10.6% in the 150k+ band, a 5.9-point spread — more than double.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 21.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 9.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 11.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.8% | 57 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 3.1% | 30 |
| 3 | Steering | 1.8% | 18 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 1.6% | 16 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.1% | 11 |
| 6 | Brakes | 1.1% | 11 |
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 | 25 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 21 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 19 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 12 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 10 |
| 6 | Wipers | 7 |
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 | 21.1% | 206 |
| 2 | Brakes | 18.9% | 185 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.6% | 64 |
| 4 | Suspension | 5.0% | 49 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 4.8% | 47 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.9% | 28 |
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 | 106 | 4.7% |
| 30-60k | 342 | 8.5% |
| 60-90k | 252 | 11.5% |
| 90-120k | 149 | 12.1% |
| 120-150k | 61 | 13.1% |
| 150k+ | 66 | 10.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 206 | 9.7% |
| 2022 | 199 | 10.5% |
| 2023 | 189 | 9.5% |
| 2024 | 189 | 7.9% |
| 2025 | 193 | 11.4% |
What to check before buying a 2016 S80
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 5.8% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (5.8% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (3.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Steering (1.8% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£500.
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 2016 Volvo S80s pass their MOT?
90.2% of the 976 2016 Volvo S80 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Volvo S80?
Tyres, recorded in 5.8% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (3.1%).
Does the 2016 S80 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.7% in the 0-30k band to 10.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 976 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.