Volvo S80 (2014)

425 real MOT outcomes analysed • 86.3% first-time pass rate

2014 Volvo S80

CarHunch analysed 425 real MOT records for the 2014 Volvo S80. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

The 2014 Volvo S80 passes its first MOT at 86.3%, comfortably above the UK average of 80%, which is a genuine strength—but one in three of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, a concerning figure that deserves serious pre-purchase inspection. This is predominantly a diesel fleet (421 of 425 cars), and the diesel pass rate mirrors the overall figure at 86.2%, so fuel type isn't a differentiator here.

At a median mileage of 66,041, these ten-year-old Volvos have been driven gently relative to age, yet they're still accumulating nine advisory issues per car on average and 1.52 failures each—suggesting wear is catching up despite low miles. Before committing to one, have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the dangerous defect patterns flagged in the data, and budget for those advisory items as near-term maintenance.

Below average reliability 6.3% above UK average
86.3%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
66,041
typical mileage
49,734–88,464 middle half
33.2%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
1.52
avg MOT failures per car
over 10 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2014 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.
  • ⚠️ 33.2% 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.

Inspection ClickMechanic Have a qualified mechanic check this car before you commit to buying

CarHunch may earn a small commission if you buy via these links — at no extra cost to you.

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Diesel (99%) 421 86.2% 1.53
Petrol (1%) 4 100% 0

Mileage Distribution

Most 2014 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.

49,734
low mileage
66,041
typical
88,464
high mileage

Half of all 2014 Volvo S80 vehicles fall between 49,734 and 88,464 miles.

2014 Volvo S80 — Still on the Road

Strong survival — 362 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 89% of the peak.

20 362 2016 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2016–2025.

MOT History Averages

10
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
1.52
Avg failures per vehicle
9
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 2014 Volvo S80

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

  • 47.5%
    Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
  • 45.6%
    Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
  • 32.8%
    Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
  • 24.9%
    Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
  • 23.7%
    Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
  • 21.5%
    Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
  • 20%
    Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
  • 19.3%
    Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2014. 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 2010 2011 2012 2013 2015 2016