Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2016 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 2016 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 2016 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 2016 Volvo S80 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

31% 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 2016 Volvo S80 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 182 vehicles, the 2016 Volvo S80 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 89.8%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2016 Volvo S80?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2016 Volvo S80 are: Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (34.5% of vehicles), Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (33.3% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (32.7% 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 2016 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 (2016)

182 real MOT outcomes analysed • 89.8% first-time pass rate

2016 Volvo S80

CarHunch analysed 182 real MOT records for the 2016 Volvo S80. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

The 2016 Volvo S80 passes its MOT first time at 85.9%, which is comfortably above the UK average of 80%—a solid reliability indicator. However, nearly one in three of these cars (30.8%) has recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is a genuine concern for any prospective buyer and warrants a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

At 54,700 miles median, these cars are showing typical wear for their age, yet they're averaging 0.89 failures and 7.0 advisories per test, suggesting that while major faults are relatively uncommon, minor issues and wear items accumulate steadily. Before buying, request the full MOT history and have an independent mechanic check the suspension, electrical systems, and brake components—areas where these Volvos tend to rack up advisory notices.

We have limited data for the 2016 Volvo S80 — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ 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

89.8%

UK average ~80%

Better than average

Dangerous (ever)

30.8%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.89

Over 7.8 tests on record

Moderate

Typical mileage

55k

Middle half: 39k–79k

For context

These stats describe 182 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 182 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 34.5%

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 33.3%

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 11.3%

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 2016.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 182 Volvo S80 cars.

Before you buy a 2016 Volvo S80

Based on MOT data from 182 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 30.8% 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

Mileage Distribution

Most 2016 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.

54,700

typical

39,255

low mileage

78,862

high mileage

Half of all 2016 Volvo S80 vehicles fall between 39,255 and 78,862 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 39,255 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.

✓ 39,255–78,862 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2016 Volvo S80s sit.

⚠ Over 106,463 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2016 Volvo S80 — Still on the Road

Almost all 2016 Volvo S80s are still on the road.

Strong survival — 163 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 94% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2019–2025.
* 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

7.8

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.89

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Or browse all models: Volvo →

Compare with another model

See how the 2016 Volvo S80 stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing