Used car guide

2007 Volvo S80 petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the petrol Volvo S80 first registered in 2007 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 463 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 463 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

463MOTs of 2007 petrol cars, done in 2023–2025
67%pass first time (all 2007 cars: 57%)
6,000typical miles a year
33%had suspension flagged

Common 2007 Volvo S80 petrol MOT failures and advisories

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

  • Suspension
    33% 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
    28% 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
    24% 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
    22% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    9% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    8% 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 an engine warning light.

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

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

  1. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Volvo S80?

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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