2009 · 15 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2009 Volvo S80 MOT pass rate and common faults

453 MOT tests in 2024. 68.4% passed first time, compared with 58.4% for all cars the same age.

117Well above average
Passed first time68.4%
Failed or needed repairs31.6%
Typical mileage at test127,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 453 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Position lamp: not working5.5%
  2. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed3.8%
    25 marked dangerous
  3. Washers: not working2.4%
  4. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid2.2%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.0%
    14 marked dangerous
  6. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak1.8%
  7. Individual direction indicators: incorrect colour1.5%
  8. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.5%
  9. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.3%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics21.9%
  2. Suspension9.5%
  3. Tyres9.1%
  4. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.1%
  5. Brakes5.5%
  6. Body & chassis4.4%
  7. Steering3.1%
  8. Emissions & leaks2.9%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm20.8%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened9.9%
  3. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened8.8%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick7.7%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn7.1%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: position lamp: not working. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2009 Volvo S80?

In 2024, 68.4% of 2009 Volvo S80 cars passed their MOT first time, across 453 tests. The average for all 15-year-old cars was 58.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2009 Volvo S80?

The most common failure reasons were position lamp: not working; tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed; washers: not working. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2009 Volvo S80 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 117, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).