Volvo S80 (Gen 2)
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 severityDVSA’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.
Sunroof and body drain water leaks into sills and footwells
medium severityThe 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.
Diesel injector wear causing rough idle and high repair bills
medium severityOn 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.
Browse by Production Year
Select a specific year to view detailed registration directory lookup and annual MOT history reports for the Volvo S80 (Gen 2).