Volvo 800 Series
From 5,249 MOT tests. Average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Older 800 Seriess fare better: 1997 models pass at 68.4% vs 71.3% for 1994.
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc and wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen. The top issue, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, caused 293 failures in 2024. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 293 |
| a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 165 |
| wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 157 |
| warning device shows system malfunction | 136 |
| parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 132 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 125 |
| a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 122 |
| a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated | 98 |
| a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 96 |
| parking brake inoperative on one side | 95 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 18.3% of 800 Series failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 30% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £119.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 68.4% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
| 1996 | 69.9% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |
| 1995 | 72.4% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen |
| 1994 | 71.3% | a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
1 earlier years
| 1993 | 71.8% | wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen, a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |
Typical mileage
Half of all 800 Seriess tested had between 119,944 and 186,172 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 154,693 median miles, the 800 Series has 0.019 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Volvo models
| Volvo Xc60 | 82.7% |
| Volvo V40 | 79% |
| Volvo Xc90 | 78% |
| Volvo Xc40 | 91.2% |
| Volvo V70 | 72% |
Common questions
What is the Volvo 800 Series MOT pass rate?
The Volvo 800 Series has a 70.8% MOT pass rate based on 5,249 real MOT tests. This is around the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Volvo 800 Series?
The most common MOT failure on the Volvo 800 Series is a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, which caused 293 failures. Other common issues include a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
What is the typical mileage of a Volvo 800 Series at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Volvo 800 Series is 154,693 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 119,944 and 186,172 miles.
Buying a used 800 Series?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 70.8% pass rate and an average repair bill of £119 when things go wrong, budget accordingly.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.