2004 Volvo S80 · 1,783 MOT tests
2004 Volvo S80 reliability
2004 Volvo S80s fail 38.8% of first MOT tests, 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 12 of 14 S80 years (1,783 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Volvo S80s: 30.5%)
- 38.8%
- first-time fail rate (all Volvo S80s: 30.5%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 14% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- 127,601
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 1,783
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2004 against the years either side
- 2003 cars: 13% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2004 car does better)
- 2005 cars: 16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2004 car does worse)
- Weak spot: steering, 5.4% of tests fail here (11% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: seat belts and airbags, 66% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2004 car carries a 53 plate (January–February 2004), or a 04 plate (March–August 2004), or a 54 plate (September–December 2004).
Common problems
What fails on a 2004 Volvo S80
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics18.8%
- Brakes14.3%
- Suspension10.1%
- Body, chassis and structure7.6%
- Tyres6.1%
- Steering5.4%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks4.8%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 6.17%
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 3.76%
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 3.59%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 3.31%
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
CV joint boot split or insecure 3.03%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.92%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Common advisories
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (14.64%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (13.8%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (9.76%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (8.81%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (8.19%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (5.27%)
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 2004 Volvo S80 reliable?
2004 Volvo S80s fail 38.8% of first MOT tests, 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 12 of 14 S80 years (1,783 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2004 Volvo S80 MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (6.17% of tests), parking brake efficiency below minimum (3.76% of tests), headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (3.59% of tests).
How many miles should a 2004 Volvo S80 have done?
At its MOT aged about 19, a typical 2004 Volvo S80 shows 127,601 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2004 car?
A car first registered in 2004 carries a 53 plate (January–February 2004), or a 04 plate (March–August 2004), or a 54 plate (September–December 2004).
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