2012 Volvo S80 · 1,260 MOT tests
2012 Volvo S80 reliability
2012 Volvo S80s fail 25.3% of first MOT tests, 28% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 6 of 14 S80 years (1,260 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Volvo S80s: 30.5%)
- 25.3%
- first-time fail rate (all Volvo S80s: 30.5%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 28% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 11
- 101,361
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 11
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 1,260
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2012 against the years either side
- 2011 cars: 31% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2012 car does worse)
- 2013 cars: 27% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2012 car does better)
- Weak spot: steering, 3.7% of tests fail here (35% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: body, chassis and structure, 73% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2012 car carries a 61 plate (January–February 2012), or a 12 plate (March–August 2012), or a 62 plate (September–December 2012).
Common problems
What fails on a 2012 Volvo S80
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics12.1%
- Suspension5.2%
- Tyres4.6%
- Brakes3.9%
- Steering3.7%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors2.6%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks2.3%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 3.02%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Direction indicator wrong colour 2.54%
An indicator showing the wrong colour may confuse other drivers, so the lens or bulb should be replaced.
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 1.98%
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.98%
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
Registration plate lamp not working 1.43%
A dark number plate lamp makes the plate hard to read at night, which is illegal and must be fixed.
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.19%
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (13.81%) · Brake pads wearing thin (7.54%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (5.71%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (5.48%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (3.81%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (3.41%)
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 2012 Volvo S80 reliable?
2012 Volvo S80s fail 25.3% of first MOT tests, 28% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 6 of 14 S80 years (1,260 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2012 Volvo S80 MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (3.02% of tests), direction indicator wrong colour (2.54% of tests), track rod end ball joint excessively worn (1.98% of tests).
How many miles should a 2012 Volvo S80 have done?
At its MOT aged about 11, a typical 2012 Volvo S80 shows 101,361 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2012 car?
A car first registered in 2012 carries a 61 plate (January–February 2012), or a 12 plate (March–August 2012), or a 62 plate (September–December 2012).
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