Volvo S80 - next step?

nedqlkow · Post by **nedqlkow** » 10 May 2026, 04:03

Hello,
For about 5 years I have been the happy owner of a 2005 Volvo S60 with a 2.4 140 horsepower gasoline engine and a 5-speed automatic transmission.
A wonderful car, which for a little over 55,000 km has not caused me any serious headaches.

However, since its age is advancing, and I want to leave it to my father, I have decided to go for the S80 and have settled on a specific car from 2010, which is equipped with a 2.5 T5 engine and automatic transmission.

The car has been in Switzerland its entire life and was imported to Bulgaria, where I live, in 2025. It has a full service history and has a little less than 200,000 km.

In the period 2011-2023 it was serviced at an official Volvo dealership in Switzerland (Engeler Automobile AG), and in 2024 and 2025 at another garage, with an entry in the service book for each year.

In the period 2011-2023 the oil was changed at a maximum of 15,000km, often well below this range (8-10,000), along with of course the associated filters and so on.

In the period 2024-2025 is the first worrying moment, where according to the service book there was an oil change at about 29,000km, which is worrying, but it happens in the period 2023-2024, when the servicing workshop changes and I assume that it is possible that an entry in the service book was missed, and that there was a service.

The automatic transmission, according to the service book, was serviced for the first time at 160,000km, which is not unexpected.

I would like to ask you the following:

1) What would you advise me about the 2.5 T5 engine? Is it reliable, does it have oil consumption or specific ailments? What should I watch out for?

2) What is your overall opinion about the 2010 S80?

I am attaching the photos of the service book so that you can get an idea of how the car has been serviced.

Thanks in advance!

Here you can see the service book photos - https://ibb.co/album/XjyqSP

Post by **matthew1** » 11 May 2026, 11:19

The engine is very similar to the 2.4 in your S60, except with a turbo. Fuel economy will be not quite as good but not a large difference. The second generation S80 is well regarded, a decent Volvo. The maintenance log book looks good with regular oil changes. In the US that would be a great sign about the care of the car.

nedqlkow · Post by **nedqlkow** » 11 May 2026, 11:37

matthew1 wrote: 11 May 2026, 11:19 The engine is very similar to the 2.4 in your S60, except with a turbo. Fuel economy will be not quite as good but not a large difference. The second generation S80 is well regarded, a decent Volvo. The maintenance log book looks good with regular oil changes. In the US that would be a great sign about the care of the car.

There are two things that bother me in the service book.

1) There is no record of changing the timing belt. This is expected, of course, and will be the first thing I do if I buy the car.

2) Between 2023 and 2024, right when the car stops being serviced at the official dealership and continues to be serviced at Garage Viktor, about 30,000 km have been driven with the same oil - from 140,678 km to 169,731 km in a little over a year.

We are talking about driving about 2,800 km per month or about 90-100 km per day, which tells me that it is mainly highway driving, which is the better option than city driving.

In this regard, I decided to contact Garge Viktor and ask them to tell me what their impressions were and I received this answer:

On May 3, 2024, the manufacturer recommended the annual inspection and automatic transmission fluid change.

The rear brake pads were also replaced.

On April 16, 2025, only the annual inspection was required. The car was in excellent condition and showed no defects.

Post by **matthew1** » 11 May 2026, 11:43

29k km is a long time without an oil change, you're right. The PCV system might need to be replaced, and yes belt for sure. Can you have it evaluated by a garage before you buy it?

nedqlkow · Post by **nedqlkow** » 11 May 2026, 11:49

matthew1 wrote: 11 May 2026, 11:43 29k km is a long time without an oil change, you're right. The PCV system might need to be replaced, and yes belt for sure. Can you have it evaluated by a garage before you buy it?

I will for sure do the PCV glove test to see if it works normally and do at least 30-40 minutes of driving both in and out of the city to check if there is any problematic behaviour.

I will also use ELM and V-Tool to do a diagnostic read.

Service is also an option.

Post by **Clemens** » 12 May 2026, 22:56

I wouldn't worry about that one 30.000 km oil change.
This for sure is a fine automobile. Enjoy!

nedqlkow · Post by **nedqlkow** » 13 May 2026, 01:13

Clemens wrote: 12 May 2026, 22:56 I wouldn't worry about that one 30.000 km oil change.
This for sure is a fine automobile. Enjoy!

Based on what I've managed to gather as information, even though I haven't seen the car in person yet, I have the same feeling.

I bought my current car (S60) on the same principle, with an even less meticulous service history, and in 5 years I haven't had any serious problems with it.

I hope it's the same now