2003 Volvo S80 · 1,765 MOT tests
2003 Volvo S80 reliability
2003 Volvo S80s fail 39% of first MOT tests, 13% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 14 of 14 S80 years (1,765 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Volvo S80s: 30.5%)
- 39%
- 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
- 126,955
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 20
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 1,765
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2003 against the years either side
- 2002 cars: 13% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does worse)
- 2004 cars: 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does worse)
- Weak spot: brakes, 16.7% of tests fail here (11% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: seat belts and airbags, 47% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2003 car carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
Common problems
What fails on a 2003 Volvo S80
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics19.2%
- Brakes16.7%
- Suspension10.5%
- Body, chassis and structure8.2%
- Tyres6.1%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5%
- Steering4.5%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 7.48%
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 5.38%
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 3.06%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 3%
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 2.83%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 2.61%
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (14.9%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (14.28%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (8.84%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (8.39%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (7.08%) · Slight play in steering rack joints (5.55%)
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 2003 Volvo S80 reliable?
2003 Volvo S80s fail 39% of first MOT tests, 13% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 14 of 14 S80 years (1,765 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2003 Volvo S80 MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (7.48% of tests), parking brake efficiency below minimum (5.38% of tests), cv joint boot split or insecure (3.06% of tests).
How many miles should a 2003 Volvo S80 have done?
At its MOT aged about 20, a typical 2003 Volvo S80 shows 126,955 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2003 car?
A car first registered in 2003 carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
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