2002 Volvo S80 · 1,430 MOT tests
2002 Volvo S80 reliability
2002 Volvo S80s fail 38.1% of first MOT tests, 13% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 13 of 14 S80 years (1,430 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Volvo S80s: 30.5%)
- 38.1%
- first-time fail rate (all Volvo S80s: 30.5%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 13% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 20
- 122,328
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 20
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 1,430
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2002 against the years either side
- 2001 cars: about average for its age (the 2002 car does better)
- 2003 cars: 13% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2002 car does better)
- Weak spot: number plates and vin, 1.3% of tests fail here (54% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: seat belts and airbags, 60% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2002 car carries a 51 plate (January–February 2002), or a 02 plate (March–August 2002), or a 52 plate (September–December 2002).
Common problems
What fails on a 2002 Volvo S80
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics19.9%
- Brakes13.2%
- Suspension11.2%
- Body, chassis and structure8.1%
- Tyres6.4%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks5.5%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.9%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 5.45%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 3.5%
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
CV joint boot split or insecure 3.15%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 2.94%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 2.94%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.73%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Common advisories
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (16.43%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (13.36%) · Slight play in steering rack joints (11.96%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (10.56%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (8.46%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (7.97%)
Other years
Every Volvo S80 year
The full picture: Volvo S80 reliability. Before you pay for any Volvo S80, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2002 Volvo S80 reliable?
2002 Volvo S80s fail 38.1% of first MOT tests, 13% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 13 of 14 S80 years (1,430 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2002 Volvo S80 MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (5.45% of tests), parking brake efficiency below minimum (3.5% of tests), cv joint boot split or insecure (3.15% of tests).
How many miles should a 2002 Volvo S80 have done?
At its MOT aged about 20, a typical 2002 Volvo S80 shows 122,328 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2002 car?
A car first registered in 2002 carries a 51 plate (January–February 2002), or a 02 plate (March–August 2002), or a 52 plate (September–December 2002).
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