Skip to content

MOT reliability

Volvo V50

54,280 vehicles · 923,823 completed MOT tests analysed
73%
MOT pass rate

Based on 54,280 Volvo V50 vehicles and 923,823 completed MOT tests, the Volvo V50 has an overall 73% pass rate, with an average recorded mileage of 143,280 miles.

54,280
Vehicles
923,823
MOT tests
9,039
Avg miles / year
2.1
Faults per test
3%
Dangerous-fault share

Volvo V50 problem areas

Where faults occur most across all Volvo V50 MOT tests:

  • Other54%
  • Tyres, wheels & suspension28%
  • Brakes11%
  • Lamps & electrical8%
  • Body & structure4%
  • Emissions & nuisance3%
  • Visibility2%
  • Steering2%

Volvo V50 pass rate by age

How the Volvo V50's MOT pass rate changes as it ages (buckets with 20+ tests).

Age (years)TestsPass rate
130889%
21,88684%
367,10381%
466,29581%
566,89279%
668,57176%
769,64074%
869,90073%
969,62472%
1068,75870%
1167,16270%
1264,08769%
1360,36869%
1453,44768%
1543,10768%
1633,04767%
1723,54267%
1814,88166%
198,70567%
204,46567%

Fuel types: Diesel (43,617), Petrol (10,634), LPG (25), Electric (2), Gas Bi-Fuel (1), Other (1)

Most common Volvo V50 MOT faults

These are the faults and advisories recorded most often across Volvo V50 MOT tests:

  1. Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1) (28,439 times)
  2. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1) (28,290 times)
  3. Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e)) (26,272 times)
  4. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e)) (24,364 times)
  5. Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1) (23,488 times)
  6. Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1) (23,053 times)
  7. Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components (20,234 times)
  8. Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i)) (20,075 times)
  9. Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay (18,435 times)
  10. Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e)) (18,080 times)
  11. Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g) (17,288 times)
  12. Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e)) (17,232 times)
  13. Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g) (15,280 times)
  14. Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) (12,367 times)
  15. Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt (11,907 times)

Volvo V50 pass rate by registration year

YearVehiclesTestsPass rateAvg mileage
2015 4 20 65% 111,804
2014 1 2 100% 147,662
2013 7 94 71% 106,851
2012 3,626 51,150 75% 127,179
2011 5,188 79,219 73% 138,005
2010 6,594 103,336 74% 135,715
2009 6,863 115,070 73% 136,907
2008 9,176 160,927 72% 144,698
2007 5,480 100,095 72% 150,223
2006 6,347 116,617 73% 151,970
2005 7,499 132,461 72% 150,816
2004 3,484 64,710 72% 148,306
2003 2 36 64% 129,208
2002 3 34 71% 268,744
1997 2 24 79% 99,283
1996 1 10 50% 174,298
1964 1 1 100% 193,679

Volvo V50 reliability FAQ

Across 54,280 Volvo V50 vehicles in our MOT data, 73% pass the MOT (a 27% failure rate), with about 2.1 faults or advisories recorded per test.

The most frequently recorded Volvo V50 MOT issues are: Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1); Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1); Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e)).

The typical Volvo V50 in our data has covered around 143,280 miles.

Compare the Volvo V50

See how the Volvo V50 stacks up against other Volvo models on MOT reliability:

V50 vs Unknown V50 vs V40 V50 vs V70 V50 vs S40

Check a specific Volvo V50

Enter a registration to see that exact vehicle's full MOT history, advisories and recurring faults.

See all Volvo models · Learn about common MOT failures · what an MOT checks