Family hatchback · 2003–2019 cars
Volvo V50 reliability
The Volvo V50 fails 44.3% of first MOT tests, 5% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 111,447 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Volvo V50 before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 44.3%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 5% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 111,447
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 10,300
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Volvo V50 ages
Each point is the share of Volvo V50s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Volvo V50 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | 36.9% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 40% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 41.6% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 42.1% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 43.9% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 45.1% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 46.1% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 45.7% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 48% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 47% | 43.5% |
| 19 | 47.4% | 43.4% |
| 20 | 45.4% | 42.8% |
By year
The best and worst Volvo V50 years
2007 cars come out best and 2011 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 V50 | 11,036 | 38.4% | 6% more fails | 108,364 |
| 2011 V50 | 14,794 | 43.3% | 11% more fails | 120,293 |
| 2010 V50 | 16,899 | 43.4% | 6% more fails | 121,380 |
| 2009 V50 | 16,718 | 43.8% | 4% more fails | 123,481 |
| 2008 V50 | 19,359 | 46.6% | 6% more fails | 130,249 |
| 2007 V50 | 10,624 | 45% | 1% more fails | 137,305 |
| 2006 V50 | 10,445 | 45.6% | 1% more fails | 137,155 |
| 2005 V50 | 8,068 | 48.4% | 7% more fails | 137,491 |
| 2004 V50 | 3,481 | 47.1% | 4% more fails | 131,094 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Volvo V50
Its weak spot is tyres: 33% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Suspension19.5%14% above avg
- Lights and electrics18.4%8% below avg
- Tyres10.7%33% above avg
- Brakes9.9%15% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure9.1%28% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.5%15% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks4.8%18% below avg
- Steering3.9%4% above avg
- Seat belts and airbags1.3%38% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Position lamp not working 5.82% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 2
Coil spring fractured or broken 5.54% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 3
CV joint boot split or insecure 5.44% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 4
Tyre ply or cords exposed 3.74% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 5
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 3.62% of tests
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
- 6
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.84% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 7
Dipped beam headlamp not working 2.27% of tests
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
- 8
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 2.27% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Volvo V50's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit21.3%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear10.62%
- Brake disc pitted or scored9.31%
- Brake pads wearing thin8.25%
- Engine oil leak, not excessive6.05%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking6.02%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Volvo V50
- 1
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 2
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 3
CV joint boot split or insecure
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 4
Tyre ply or cords exposed
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Volvo V50 covers about 10,300 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Diesel80%
- Petrol20%
- LPG0%
Most common colours
Blue, Silver, Black, Grey, Red
Average engine size: 1.9 litres.
Compare
How the Volvo V50 compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lexus CT | 15.5% | 40% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Hyundai Ioniq | 12.5% | 26% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volvo V50 | 44.3% | 5% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Suzuki SX4 | 28.8% | 6% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Nissan Leaf | 20% | 11% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën Xsara | 50.4% | 18% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Peugeot 307 | 51.9% | 21% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every family hatchback ranked in the family hatchback reliability index, or all Volvo models.
Questions
Volvo V50 questions, answered
Is the Volvo V50 reliable?
On MOT results, the Volvo V50 is about average: it fails 44.3% of first MOT tests, 5% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 33 of 65 family hatchback models in our index.
What fails most on a Volvo V50 MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Volvo V50 are position lamp not working (5.82% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (5.54% of tests), cv joint boot split or insecure (5.44% of tests). By area, suspension fails 19.5% of its tests.
Which Volvo V50 year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2007 cars do best (about average for its age) and 2011 cars do worst (11% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Volvo V50 do a year?
A typical Volvo V50 covers about 10,300 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Volvo V50 before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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