Diesel Volvo S80: MOT pass rate

76.5% of diesel Volvo S80s pass the MOT first time, measured across 5,371 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 128,547.

Diesel against the other Volvo S80 versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Diesels carry DPFs, EGR valves and stricter smoke limits, so emissions and exhaust faults account for failures petrol cars never see.

On the Volvo S80 specifically, diesel is the strongest at 76.5%, and this diesel version sits 1.1 points above the 75.4% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

The diesel Volvo S80 is the stronger side of this model on MOT data. Still judge the individual car, but the fuel type is a mild point in its favour. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.

Mileage is part of the answer

The average diesel Volvo S80 had covered 128,547 miles at test, against 115,201 for the petrol. That is high mileage, so timing belts, clutches, suspension bushes and corrosion are the items worth budgeting for rather than the MOT itself.

Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the Volvo S80 page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a diesel Volvo S80

1. Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements, 1.5% of tests (2.49x the national rate for this defect)
2. Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 1.7% of tests (2.29x the national rate for this defect)
3. A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, 2.9% of tests (2.19x the national rate for this defect)
4. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 2.9% of tests (1.71x the national rate for this defect)
5. A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 3.2% of tests (1.46x the national rate for this defect)
6. A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps, 1.3% of tests (1.41x the national rate for this defect)
7. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 3.3% of tests (1.4x the national rate for this defect)
8. A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 2.6% of tests (1.39x the national rate for this defect)
9. Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, 2.2% of tests (1.3x the national rate for this defect)
10. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 2.7% of tests (1.24x the national rate for this defect)

From 5,395 DVSA-tracked diesel Volvo S80 tests, 2024, split out from the Volvo S80's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 4.98% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a diesel Volvo S80

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 13.2% of tests (2.79x the national rate for this defect)
2. Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements, 3.4% of tests (2.45x the national rate for this defect), also fails
3. A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, 2.9% of tests (2.15x the national rate for this defect), also fails
4. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 21.8% of tests (1.63x the national rate for this defect)
5. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 4.6% of tests (1.62x the national rate for this defect)
6. A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded, 7.5% of tests (1.45x the national rate for this defect)
7. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 2.1% of tests (1.36x the national rate for this defect)
8. Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 3.2% of tests (1.19x the national rate for this defect)
9. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 29.1% of tests
10. A tyre seriously damaged, 12.9% of tests

From 5,395 DVSA-tracked diesel Volvo S80 tests, 2024.

Other Volvo S80 fuel types

• Petrol Volvo S80 - 72.1%

All Volvo S80 MOT data · Every model