2012 · 12 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2012 Volvo S80 MOT pass rate and common faults

351 MOT tests in 2024. 71.2% passed first time, compared with 64.3% for all cars the same age.

111Well above average
Passed first time71.2%
Failed or needed repairs28.8%
Typical mileage at test110,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 351 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Position lamp: not working4.3%
  2. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick3.4%
    13 marked dangerous
  3. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play2.6%
  4. Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps2.0%
  5. Individual direction indicators: incorrect colour2.0%
  6. Coil spring: fractured or broken1.7%
  7. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn1.4%
  8. Stop lamp: not working1.4%
  9. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.4%
    10 marked dangerous

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics18.2%
  2. Brakes6.0%
  3. Tyres5.1%
  4. Suspension4.8%
  5. Steering4.0%
  6. Emissions & leaks2.3%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)2.3%
  8. Body & chassis1.1%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm18.8%
  2. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick9.1%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened7.7%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure6.0%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn4.3%

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 2012 Volvo S80?

In 2024, 71.2% of 2012 Volvo S80 cars passed their MOT first time, across 351 tests. The average for all 12-year-old cars was 64.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2012 Volvo S80?

The most common failure reasons were position lamp: not working; brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick; track rod end: ball joint has excessive play. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2012 Volvo S80 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 111, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).