Is the Volvo S80 reliable?

The Volvo S80 has an average MOT pass rate of 80% across 19 years, based on 13,390 tests in 2026. That's 2 points below the national average of 82%. The most reliable year is 2016 with a 94% pass rate.

Which year Volvo S80 is best?

The 2016 Volvo S80 has the highest MOT pass rate at 94%, while the 2000 model has the lowest at 73%. There's a 21 percentage point spread between the best and worst years.

Volvo S80

Reliability, running costs, and MOT data across 19 years from 13,390 real MOT tests.

Avg Pass Rate

80%

Total Tests

13,390

Best Year

2016 (94%)

Years Covered

About the Volvo S80

The Volvo S80 has been tested 13,390 times in 2026 MOT data across 19 model years (1998 to 2016), with an average pass rate of 80%. That's close to the national average of 82%. Available as diesel and petrol.

Best and Worst Years

The 2016 model is the most reliable with a 94% pass rate from 319 tests. The 2000 model has the lowest at 73%. With a 21 point spread, choosing the right year makes a big difference to reliability.

Reliability Trend

Newer VOLVO S80s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 9 percentage points.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (1998) averages 109,487 miles, while the newest (2016) averages 73,199 miles. Older models have covered serious mileage, so suspension and drivetrain wear are worth checking.

Compared to the Volvo brand average of 87%, the S80 is 7 points lower, placing it among the less reliable Volvo models.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1969cc)

£1,037

Road Tax

£265

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£200

Total per year£1,557

Per month£130/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2016 details

How reliable is the Volvo S80?

vs national average-2% (82% avg)

vs Volvo brand average-7% (87% avg)

Best to worst year spread21 percentage points

Reliability trendImproving over years

Volvo S80 by Year

Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2016	94%	319	73,199 mi
2015	85%	661	88,512 mi
2014	87%	687	97,117 mi
2013	85%	835	97,075 mi
2012	83%	654	109,857 mi
2011	84%	738	127,960 mi
2010	86%	1,055	127,640 mi
2009	80%	882	133,255 mi
2008	82%	1,177	135,379 mi
2007	80%	1,396	137,080 mi
2006	79%	732	139,507 mi
2005	76%	826	141,284 mi
2004	75%	879	132,204 mi
2003	74%	856	136,238 mi
2002	77%	610	132,472 mi
2001	74%	517	123,256 mi
2000	73%	240	130,130 mi
1999	80%	275	125,351 mi
1998	75%	51	109,487 mi