Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2013 Volvo S80?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2013 Volvo S80?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2013 Volvo S80?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2013 Volvo S80 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

42% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2013 Volvo S80 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 496 vehicles, the 2013 Volvo S80 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 84.3%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2013 Volvo S80?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2013 Volvo S80 are: Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (47.5% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (45.6% of vehicles), Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (32.8% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2013 Volvo S80?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Volvo S80 (2013)

496 real MOT outcomes analysed • 84.3% first-time pass rate

2013 Volvo S80

CarHunch analysed 496 real MOT records for the 2013 Volvo S80. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

On this page

AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

Moderate sample. 496 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

The 2013 Volvo S80 passes its MOT first time at 84.3%, which is a solid 4.3 percentage points above the UK average, suggesting this is a reasonably reliable executive saloon. However, 41.7% of these cars have recorded at least one dangerous defect during their MOT history—a concerning figure that warrants a thorough pre-purchase inspection and full service history review.

At nearly 79,000 miles on average, these S80s are showing typical wear for their age, but the 11.3 advisories per vehicle flag mounting maintenance costs ahead: suspension, brake wear, and fluid leaks are common on ageing Volvos of this generation. Before committing to one, obtain a detailed MOT history print-out and budget for imminent work on any vehicle showing multiple advisories.

The 2013 Volvo S80 has a decent first-time pass rate (84.3%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

84.3%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

41.7%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.93

Over 11.3 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

74k

Middle half: 52k–99k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 11.3 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 496 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 496 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 47.5%

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 32.8%

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Other issues 13.4%

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view · Oil leak, but not excessive · Nearside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2013.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 496 Volvo S80 cars.

Before you buy a 2013 Volvo S80

Based on MOT data from 496 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 41.7% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Diesel (99%)	491	84.2%	1.94

Colour Breakdown

Based on 31,096 Volvo S80 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 32.2%

10,011

Blue 22.4%

6,971

Black 11.4%

3,546

Grey 10.6%

3,306

Green 9.2%

2,861

Red 7.6%

2,365

Gold 4.7%

1,475

Purple 0.8%

261

White 0.6%

193

Brown 0.2%

Maroon 0.1%

Beige 0.1%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2013 Volvo S80 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

73,687

typical

52,221

low mileage

99,228

high mileage

Half of all 2013 Volvo S80 vehicles fall between 52,221 and 99,228 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 52,221 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 52,221–99,228 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2013 Volvo S80s sit.

⚠ Over 133,957 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2013 Volvo S80 — Still on the Road

Most 2013 Volvo S80s are still being driven.

Strong survival — 392 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 83% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2015–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

11.3

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.93

Avg failures per vehicle

11.3

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Volvo S80: All S80 years → Which year to buy? →

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Compare with another model

See how the 2013 Volvo S80 stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing