Volvo S80 (2010)

864 real MOT outcomes analysed • 81.7% first-time pass rate

2010 Volvo S80

CarHunch analysed 864 real MOT records for the 2010 Volvo S80. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

The 2010 Volvo S80 passes MOT at 81.7%, marginally above the UK average of 80%, but the serious concern here is that 36.8% of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—nearly double the typical rate—suggesting potential issues with critical safety systems that buyers should investigate carefully. Diesel models, which make up the vast majority of this cohort, achieve an 81.5% pass rate, indicating no meaningful fuel-type penalty.

These cars are averaging 96,745 miles, right on track for their age, yet they're generating 2.62 failures and 15.3 advisories per test cycle, which points to wear accumulating across multiple systems rather than one obvious weak point. Before buying, request the full MOT history to check whether any dangerous defects are recent or recurring, and budget for proactive maintenance on suspension, braking, and electrical components—the high advisory count suggests these areas demand attention.

Below average reliability In line with UK average
81.7%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
94,112
typical mileage
68,900–121,134 middle half
36.8%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
2.62
avg MOT failures per car
over 13.5 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2010 Volvo S80

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
  • 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
  • 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
  • ⚠️ 36.8% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
  • 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a Volvo S80

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Diesel (95%) 819 81.5% 2.68
Petrol (5%) 45 87% 1.69

Mileage Distribution

Most 2010 Volvo S80 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

68,900
low mileage
94,112
typical
121,134
high mileage

Half of all 2010 Volvo S80 vehicles fall between 68,900 and 121,134 miles.

2010 Volvo S80 — Still on the Road

513 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 64% of the peak remain.

807 513 2014 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.

MOT History Averages

13.5
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
2.62
Avg failures per vehicle
15.3
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 2010 Volvo S80

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

  • 43.6%
    Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
  • 43.3%
    Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
  • 32.6%
    Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components
  • 30.1%
    Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay
  • 29%
    Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 28.6%
    Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 25%
    Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
  • 24.7%
    Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2010. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Volvo S80?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — Volvo S80:

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016