1997 · 27 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1997 Volvo 800 Series MOT pass rate and common faults

160 MOT tests in 2024. 56.9% passed first time, compared with 65.5% for all cars the same age.

87Well below average
Passed first time56.9%
Failed or needed repairs43.1%
Typical mileage at test153,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 160 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn5.6%
  2. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements5.6%
  3. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect4.4%
  4. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively4.4%
  5. Parking brake performance: inoperative on one side3.8%
  6. Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault3.1%
  7. Service brake performance: excessively binding3.1%
  8. Horn: not working3.1%
  9. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases3.1%
  10. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.1%

Problem areas

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

  1. Brakes30.0%
  2. Lights & electrics25.6%
  3. Suspension20.6%
  4. Body & chassis13.8%
  5. Emissions & leaks10.6%
  6. Tyres9.4%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)8.8%
  8. Steering6.3%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine23.8%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm16.3%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened14.4%
  4. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened11.9%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure10.6%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

← 1996 800 SeriesAll 800 Series years

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1997 Volvo 800 Series?

In 2024, 56.9% of 1997 Volvo 800 Series cars passed their MOT first time, across 160 tests. The average for all 27-year-old cars was 65.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1997 Volvo 800 Series?

The most common failure reasons were suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn; rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements; headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect. The biggest problem area was brakes.

Is the 1997 Volvo 800 Series reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 87, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).