CarCostCheck

VOLVO S80 (2001)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 517 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,577

£215/month

MOT Pass Rate

74%

Average

Road Tax

£430

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 25-38

2435cc Petrol

Check Carefully

74% pass rate, £2577/year to run. 8 points below average.

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Petrol2435cc25 years old517 tests123k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2435cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592
Road Tax

Based on 2435cc

£430
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500
Total per year£2,577
Per month£215/mo
Per week£50/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

74% MOT pass rate(Average)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 8 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the VOLVO brand average of 87%.

At 25 years old, 74% of VOLVO S80s from 2001 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 517 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 123,256 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2001 cars150th of 362(top 41%)
Rank among VOLVO models560th of 635(top 88%)
vs national average-8%(82% avg)
vs 2001 cars average+1%(73% avg)
vs VOLVO average-13%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

123,256

Average miles

vs

185,000

Expected for age

The average 2001 VOLVO S80 has 123,256 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 185,000 miles for a 25-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2016 model with a 94% MOT pass rate, while the 2000 model has the lowest at 73%. The 2001 sits between the two at 74%.

VOLVO S80 by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
201694%31973,199 mi
201585%66188,512 mi
201487%68797,117 mi
201385%83597,075 mi
201283%654109,857 mi
201184%738127,960 mi
201086%1,055127,640 mi
200980%882133,255 mi
200882%1,177135,379 mi
200780%1,396137,080 mi
200679%732139,507 mi
200576%826141,284 mi
200475%879132,204 mi
200374%856136,238 mi
200277%610132,472 mi
200174%517123,256 mi
200073%240130,130 mi
199980%275125,351 mi
199875%51109,487 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

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About the 2001 VOLVO S80

The 2001 VOLVO S80 is a premium with a 2435cc petrol engine. 517 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all cars from 2001, the average MOT pass rate is 73%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 123,256 miles at 25 years old, VOLVO S80 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2001 VOLVO S80 Fuel Costs

The 2435cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,592 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2001 VOLVO S80?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,577 215/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £430 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 74% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

VOLVO S80 Reliability Trend

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

Buying a Used 2001 VOLVO S80

At 25 years old, the VOLVO S80 is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2016 model has the highest pass rate at 94%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2001 VOLVO S80's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 25 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Oil Consumption

Medium risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 123k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Engine Mounts

Medium risk

Worn engine mounts cause excessive vibration and movement. Replacement costs £150-£400 per mount. Check for vibration at idle with the bonnet open.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2001 VOLVO S80 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
VOLVO S80(2001)74%£1592£430Grp 25-38£2577
RENAULT CLIO(2003)68%£1327£135Grp 18-32£2217-£360
BMW 3 SERIES(1999)78%£1592£250Grp 25-38£2397-£180
MERCEDES CLK(2003)78%£1592£250Grp 25-38£2397-£180
HONDA CR-V(2002)69%£1327£135Grp 18-32£2217-£360

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Related Volvo Models

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Related Guides

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