Volvo's understated flagship — safety first, always
The Volvo S80 was Volvo's flagship saloon across two generations (1998-2006 and 2006-2016), positioned against the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes E-Class, and Audi A6. It targeted safety-conscious executives who valued Scandinavian design and comfort over Germanic sportiness. Never a strong seller against its German rivals, it nonetheless offered genuine value, space, and pioneering safety technology.
We track 5 known issues across the Volvo S80 range, including 1 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Volvo S80? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
P24 (1998–2006) — Petrol options included the 2.4 5-cylinder, 2.5 Turbo, 2.9 6-cylinder, with 2.4 D5 on the diesel side. Our database flags 4 known issues on this generation, 1 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Flexible brake hose deterioration (£200–£400 to address).
AS60 (2006–2016) — Petrol options included the 4.4 V8, with 1.6 D2, 2.0 D, 2.0 D, 2.0 D, 2.4 D5 on the diesel side. Our database flags 5 known issues on this generation, 1 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Flexible brake hose deterioration (£200–£400 to address).
The flexible brake hoses on the S80 deteriorate at significantly higher rates than typical for the fleet, with MOT data showing failure rates up to 16.5 times the national average on 2.4-litre variants. The hoses become damaged, chafed, or stretched, particularly affecting higher-mileage examples. This is a critical safety defect as brake hose failure can result in complete loss of braking on one or more wheels. The issue appears most prevalent on petrol variants but also affects diesel models.
Brake hose failure results in immediate loss of braking capability on the affected wheel or circuit, creating a severe safety risk. Complete brake system failure is possible if multiple hoses fail. The car should not be driven if brake hose deterioration is suspected. Replacement of all flexible hoses is typically recommended once deterioration begins.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
MOT data reveals that S80 suspension components fail at rates up to 9.4 times higher than the national fleet average, with both corrosion damage and excessive wear of pins, bushes, and joints. The issue affects multiple components across both generations, with failures increasing significantly after 80,000 miles. Suspension ball joints show particular problems on petrol variants. This reflects the complexity of the S80's multi-link rear suspension and the use of rubber bushes that degrade over time.
Worn suspension components compromise handling and safety, potentially causing loss of vehicle control. Failed ball joints can separate completely, causing wheel collapse. Suspension wear also accelerates tyre wear and affects braking performance. Multiple components typically require attention simultaneously, leading to significant repair costs.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
Coil spring fractures occur at 4.8 times the national fleet average on S80 models, with failures documented across petrol and diesel variants. Springs can fracture or become seriously weakened, affecting both front and rear suspension. The problem appears as early as 40,000 miles on some 2.4-litre petrol models. Fractured springs compromise vehicle safety and handling, and the sharp broken ends can damage tyres or other components.
A fractured spring can fail completely, causing the affected corner of the car to drop significantly and potentially damaging the tyre or losing vehicle control. Sharp broken spring ends can puncture tyres or damage brake lines. The car should be inspected immediately if spring fracture is suspected.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
NHTSA complaints document oil consumption issues on second-generation S80 models, with owners reporting low oil warning lights appearing between service intervals. This suggests excessive oil consumption beyond normal parameters, potentially indicating worn piston rings, valve stem seals, or turbocharger seals on turbocharged variants. The issue appears to develop gradually with age and mileage, requiring frequent oil top-ups to prevent engine damage.
Excessive oil consumption can lead to catastrophic engine failure if oil levels drop too low. Regular monitoring and frequent oil changes become necessary, increasing running costs significantly. Internal engine wear causing oil consumption typically requires major engine rebuild or replacement to resolve permanently.
Check the oil level before the engine is started. Ask the seller how often they top up the oil between services. After a test drive, check the level again and look behind the car for blue or grey exhaust smoke under acceleration.
The S80 exhaust system fails MOT tests for leaking or insecurity at 5.8 times the national fleet average, particularly on 2.0-litre diesel variants at high mileage. The complex exhaust system on the S80, especially diesel variants with DPF systems, is prone to corrosion and mounting failures. Diesel particulate filter systems create additional back-pressure and heat cycling that can accelerate exhaust component deterioration.
Exhaust leaks can allow dangerous carbon monoxide to enter the passenger compartment and will cause MOT failure. Loose or damaged exhaust systems can detach while driving, creating a road hazard. Complete system replacement may be required on high-mileage diesel models with DPF integration.
Check for any engine warning lights on the dashboard. Ask about the car's MOT emissions history — repeated failures suggest underlying issues. A pre-purchase diagnostic scan is especially worthwhile to check for stored emissions fault codes.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Volvo S80 common problems page.
Based on 46k real DVSA MOT tests, the Volvo S80 fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is fuel system leaking, or missing or ineffective ... at 17x the fleet average, followed by brake hoses perished or damaged (17x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Volvo S80 MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 10k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.
The bigger-ticket items to budget for include timing belt (£400–£600).
See the full Volvo S80 service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Volvo S80 has some well-documented weak points, including 1 safety-critical issue that demand careful checking. The right example, properly maintained, can still be a sound purchase — but cutting corners on the pre-purchase inspection is not advisable. The 2012-2016 models are the safest bet, with mature technology and the fewest reported issues. The 2014 model year stands out with just one complaint and one recall. For earlier cars, 2005-2006 models resolved most first-generation problems. Avoid 1999-2002 and 2010 model years which had the most complaints for engine, transmission, and electrical faults.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Volvo S80, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 5 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 5 known Volvo S80 issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.