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Volvo V50 reliability by build year

Coverage 2004-20121 named generationestateEstatePETROL / DIESEL
At a glance

Volvo V50 built around 2010: fails its MOT more often than average

Volvo V50 models built around 2010 fail their MOT more often than similar cars the same age. Look closely at the tyres on any car you view. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Check a Volvo V50 by number plate

Key figure

32% of MOT tests on Volvo V50 models built around 2010 ended in a fail (retests included), against 26% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Volvo V50 models built around 2010 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Volvo V50's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Independent inspection

High priority

Have an independent specialist inspect the car before you commit.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your V50's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

V50 Mk1

Mk1 (2004-2012)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROLDIESEL

30.7% fail rate, built around 2012 (13 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 27.7%)

From 5,263 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Volvo V50.

See every build year for the Volvo V50

By age

Volvo V50 fail rate by age

This chart combines every Volvo V50 ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
1,22828.3%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
5,26330.7%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
5,71030.3%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
6,10031.5%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
5,68232.8%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
5,08033.0%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
3,17333.3%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
2,78933.3%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
1,65633.6%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
35931.8%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 20 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 15-year-old Volvo V50 models

These issues come from 15-year-old Volvo V50 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    29.2%
    Advisory: 2,620Fail: 174 (6% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    23.8%
    Advisory: 1,676Fail: 551 (25% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    13.4%
    Advisory: 829Fail: 9 (1% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    12.1%
    Advisory: 675Fail: 360 (35% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    11.7%
    Advisory: 983Fail: 19 (2% of the times it was found)

Based on 6,100 MOT tests on 15-year-old Volvo V50 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 15-year-old Volvo V50 models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Suspension + Tyres33%
  2. Brakes + Suspension30%
  3. Brakes + Tyres27%
  4. Lighting + Suspension23%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 3,686 MOT tests on Volvo V50 cars built around 2010 (15 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Volvo V50.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

24 recalls in all

3 of the 24 Volvo V50 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 3 recalls

Top concerns

  • Exhaust sleeve may detach
  • Loss of drive
  • Windscreen may separate from support areas on impact

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Similar cars to compare

Similar cars to compare

  1. 1

    Lexus IS

    Tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    19.7%

    Lower fail rate: 19.7%, against 31.5% for the Volvo V50, both built around 2010.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    1,466 MOT tests on cars built around 2010

  2. 2

    BMW 5 Series

    Tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    22%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6.7%
    Dangerous
    6.7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    82.6%

    Lower fail rate: 22.0%, against 31.5% for the Volvo V50, both built around 2010.

    12 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    8,381 MOT tests on cars built around 2010

  3. 3

    Audi A6

    Tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    24.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6.9%
    Dangerous
    7.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    79.1%

    Lower fail rate: 24.6%, against 31.5% for the Volvo V50, both built around 2010.

    4 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    7,068 MOT tests on cars built around 2010

  4. 4

    Saab 9-3

    Tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    26.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    8.6%
    Dangerous
    6.5%

    Lower fail rate: 26.8%, against 31.5% for the Volvo V50, both built around 2010.

    3,651 MOT tests on cars built around 2010

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2010 (15 years old), the Volvo V50 across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 6,100 15-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Volvo V50 ever sold: 37,040 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2010 (15 years old): 6,100 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.