Does the Volvo 800 Series fail the MOT on lamps, reflectors and electrics more than it should?
The Volvo 800 Series records 33.00 lamps, reflectors and electrics failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 29.40 expected for a car of the same age mix: more than expected for its class and age (+3.60, 95% interval +2.37 to +4.84). It ranks 179 of 729 models on lamps, reflectors and electrics (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on lamps, reflectors and electrics · check a Volvo 800 Series by registration
What exactly fails on lamps, reflectors and electrics?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Volvo 800 Series is “A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources”, recorded 351 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources | 351 | 4.24 |
| The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 338 | 4.08 |
| A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 304 | 3.67 |
| A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 236 | 2.85 |
| Headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective | 232 | 2.80 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 8,287 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
Volvo 800 Series by postcode area · Volvo 800 Series body, chassis and structure failures · Volvo 800 Series brakes failures · Volvo 800 Series vehicle identification failures · Volvo 800 Series noise, emissions and leaks failures · Volvo 800 Series seat belts and airbags failures · Volvo 800 Series steering failures · Volvo 800 Series suspension failures · Volvo 800 Series tyres failures · Volvo 800 Series visibility failures