Faults:

Misfires and hesitation upon acceleration.

Throttle valve failures.

Suspension arm bushings and engine mounts wear out, causing vibrations or sharp knocking sounds when driving over potholes.

Intermittent faults in the instrumentation, lights, or central locking system due to moisture and contact corrosion.

The original siren's internal battery tends to corrode over time, causing errors in the onboard computer.

General Comments:

If I had to summarize what this car is all about in a few lines, I would say it stands out for its great ride comfort, excellent safety levels, and a highly reliable naturally aspirated five-cylinder engine.

The interior is very spacious, and the instrument panel is packed with information. Adjustable seats and steering wheel ensure there is no shortage of comfort, although tall drivers might find it difficult to read some of the dials with the seat in its lowest position. However, despite this minor annoyance, the cabin is inviting and well-made. The air conditioning is effective and easy to control, while the rear seats are more than spacious enough for passengers to travel in style. The materials have a high-quality finish, though the color scheme feels a bit bland.

One area where the S80 truly excels is out on the open road. It handles highways with ease, effortlessly eating up the miles without tiring the driver. The supple suspension soaks up road imperfections like a sponge, suppressing noise and vibration with impressive efficiency. Add to this the quiet cabin at cruising speeds, and the car's refinement ensures that long journeys are far from a chore. Of course, Volvo’s commitment to safety is evident, as always. With the Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS), dual and side airbags, and numerous crumple zones, the S80 lays claim to being one of the most robust cars in its class.

And when you consider that you would have to pay a significant premium for a Mercedes with similar performance (or an equivalent BMW) the Volvo’s comparatively modest price, both back then and now, if you’re looking for a used one, makes it an attractive alternative.

Faults:

In my 3 year ownership so far;

Oil leak.

Misfire.

Both repaired at a reasonable cost. The car is kept serviced on time, I changed the cam-belt and water pump. All oil changes confirmed to have been done since new (full verified history). No signs of rust whatsoever.

General Comments:

Bloody love this S80 - peak Volvo in my opinion. A 2002 model car, but the S80 had been around since the late 1990's, which was Volvo at the top of their game before they got too complex in my opinion. Stunning looking and a lot of car for the money.

Nice light silver/blue color. Original 5 spoke Volvo alloys, suits this car well. Large sedan, real presence on the road.

Inside has black leather / wood effect trim. Very comfortable car for long journeys. Ride is super smooth, especially on motorways.

2.4 petrol automatic feels powerful. 28 - 30 mpg on average taking it slow. Not great by today's standard, but acceptable for the type of car it is.

People complain these cars are expensive to fix. Yes they are, if something serious goes wrong. But is that any different from any other car these days? No. I admit however I do not do much mileage these days - if I used this car more regularly it would surely show some more problems, but it is an older higher mileage car now.

I got a great deal on this S80, for a very nice price it has been a great reliable second car to cruise in comfort. Love it, and plan to keep it for a long time, despite being over 20 years old now. If buying one for yourself, choose a nice car with lower mileage and full history, walk away from rough examples, these cars should be cared for!