Used car guide

2007 Volvo S80 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Volvo S80 first registered in 2007 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 1,785 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,785MOTs of 2007 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025
66%pass first time (all 2007 cars: 57%)
8,400typical miles a year
2.2×the usual rate for steering rack

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2007 Volvo S80 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2007 Volvo S80 diesel than on all cars registered in 2007.

  • Steering rack2.2× usual
    Volvo S80
    2.4% All 2007 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 0.6% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 2.2% here, against 10.9% of all 2007 cars. Engine oil leaks: 5.9% here, against 12.2% of all 2007 cars.

Common 2007 Volvo S80 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2007 Volvo S80 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    44% 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.

  • Tyres
    33% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    31% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Brakes
    26% 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.

  • 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    10% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2007 Volvo S80 diesel

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

  1. Any recent work on the steering rack? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2007 Volvo S80 diesel 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%
20061,139Suspension 38%
20051,315Suspension 43%
20041,286Suspension 47%
20031,270Suspension 44%
20021,068Suspension 49%
2001694Suspension 47%
2000355Suspension 46%
1999250Suspension 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 2007. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score