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UK Reliability Directory

Volvo S80 (Gen 2)

Production Years: 2006 - 20163 Documented Faults

The second-generation S80 arrived for 2007 as Europe’s hands-down class-leader for rear-seat comfort and safety kit, kept Volvo’s flagship seat until the 2016 S90 took over, and wore a mild 2010 refresh (twin-turbo D5, new trims) plus a proper 2014 facelift that brought new bumpers, a larger screen and standard City Safety. UK engine lists ran from the D3/D4/D5 five-cylinder diesels through 2.0T/2.5T/3.2 and the T6 AWD, with the DRIVe low-CO2 versions making it a company-car staple. Auto Express rated its reliability as settled and dependable, and the Volvo Owners' Club tells the other side: water finding its way into sills and footwells via blocked sunroof drains, and diesel idle and injector wear. Prices look irresistible; the checks below keep it that way.

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Common Faults & Reliability

These are the most common documented problems for the Volvo S80 (Gen 2), sorted by their typical impact and frequency.

Fuel dilution on D5 diesel - rising oil and runaway idle risk

high severity

DVSA’s recall record for the S80 of this era states plainly that oil could rise above maximum from overfilling and/or fuel dilution, letting the engine hold or increase speed after the throttle is released and, in extreme cases, run on after switch-off. Owners' Club threads on the 2.0D/D5 cars show the day-to-day version: a rough, shaking idle where the members immediately suspect a leaking injector - at roughly £300 a time. Short urban runs made it a fleet-killer; verify oil history on any diesel you test.

Est. repair cost:£150-£2,000

Sunroof and body drain water leaks into sills and footwells

medium severity

The Owners' Club has S80 owners chasing sloshing in the driver’s sill and a soaked rear footwell with no obvious entry, one discovering windscreen-edge leaks tracking into the cabin. FnF’s Volvo drain guide sets out the mechanical reason: on the S80/V70/XC70 generation the front sunroof drains exit behind the front wheels through a 90-degree elbow that clogs or slips off, while rear drains dump into the trunk area. Water in the footwell soaks wiring looms and the amplifier under the seat, turning a £50 clean-out into a four-figure electrical repair.

Est. repair cost:£80-£1,200

Diesel injector wear causing rough idle and high repair bills

medium severity

On the 2.0D and five-cylinder diesels, Volvo Owners' Club threads describe exactly what fleet life does to these injectors: a rough idle with vibration you can feel through the seats, and member advice to confirm which cylinder before paying around £300 a injector plus labour. The cheap first step is a proper diagnostic - leaking-back testing rather than guessing - because misdiagnosed injectors lead owners to replace pumps and sensors unnecessarily. Buy with injector test records and it stops being a worry.

Est. repair cost:£350-£1,500

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