2005 Volvo S80 · 1,748 MOT tests
2005 Volvo S80 reliability
2005 Volvo S80s fail 37.7% of first MOT tests, 16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 11 of 14 S80 years (1,748 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Volvo S80s: 30.5%)
- 37.7%
- first-time fail rate (all Volvo S80s: 30.5%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 16% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 17
- 137,511
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 17
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 1,748
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2005 against the years either side
- 2004 cars: 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2005 car does better)
- 2006 cars: 25% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2005 car does worse)
- Weak spot: steering, 5.6% of tests fail here (21% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 71% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2005 car carries a 54 plate (January–February 2005), or a 05 plate (March–August 2005), or a 55 plate (September–December 2005).
Common problems
What fails on a 2005 Volvo S80
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics19.2%
- Brakes14.9%
- Suspension9.3%
- Tyres6.2%
- Steering5.6%
- Body, chassis and structure5%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3.5%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 6.41%
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 4.58%
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 3.78%
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 3.03%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Parking brake inoperative on one side 2.92%
The parking brake does not work on one side, so the car may not hold on a slope and needs repair.
Parking brake efficiency under half required 2.8%
The parking brake is well below required strength and is unlikely to hold the car on a slope.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (15.5%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (13.44%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (9.9%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (9.38%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (7.21%) · Brake pads wearing thin (6.64%)
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 2005 Volvo S80 reliable?
2005 Volvo S80s fail 37.7% of first MOT tests, 16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 11 of 14 S80 years (1,748 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2005 Volvo S80 MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (6.41% of tests), parking brake efficiency below minimum (4.58% of tests), track rod end ball joint excessively worn (3.78% of tests).
How many miles should a 2005 Volvo S80 have done?
At its MOT aged about 17, a typical 2005 Volvo S80 shows 137,511 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2005 car?
A car first registered in 2005 carries a 54 plate (January–February 2005), or a 05 plate (March–August 2005), or a 55 plate (September–December 2005).
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