Used car guide

1999 Volvo S80: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Volvo S80 first registered in 1999: we looked at the 250 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 250 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

250MOTs of 1999 cars, done in 2023–2025
65%pass first time (all 1999 cars: 63%)
5,000typical miles a year
3.1×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1999 Volvo S80?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1999 Volvo S80 than on all cars registered in 1999.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints3.1× usual
    Volvo S80
    18.4% All 1999 cars
    5.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 1.2% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

Common 1999 Volvo S80 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1999 Volvo S80 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    46% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    35% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    31% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Brakes
    28% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Steering
    10% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    10% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1999 Volvo S80

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.1× as often on the 1999 Volvo S80 as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Volvo S80?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Volvo S80 compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2016521Tyres 26%
20151,169Tyres 28%
20141,136Tyres 25%
20131,237Tyres 32%
20121,046Tyres 31%
20111,227Tyres 32%
20101,719Suspension 32%
20091,352Suspension 34%
20081,917Suspension 37%
20072,248Suspension 42%
20061,139Suspension 38%
20051,315Suspension 43%
20041,286Suspension 47%
20031,270Suspension 44%
20021,068Suspension 49%
2001694Suspension 47%
2000355Suspension 46%
1998–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Volvo S80 cars first registered in 1999. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score