Volvo V50 MOT pass rate and common problems
62.3% of 44,029 Volvo V50 MOT tests pass.
The V50 passes 62.3% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the average across all Volvo models (80.1%).
The Volvo V50 passes 62.3% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Volvo V50?
This is the average across every Volvo V50 in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Volvo’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate eases gradually with age, from 64.3% at 10–15 years to 60.4% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 6–10 years | too few tests (2) | 2 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | 64.3% | 21,184 | 124,133 miles |
| 15+ years | 60.4% | 22,843 | 138,469 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Volvo V50
The most common reason the Volvo V50 fails its MOT is suspension — present in 55.0% of failed tests, most often logged as "Pin or bush excessively worn".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 55.0% | Pin or bush excessively worn |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 50.2% | Not working |
| Brakes | 30.7% | Efficiency below requirements |
| Tyres | 26.4% | Has ply or cords exposed |
| Body, chassis, structure | 21.0% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 11.7% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Visibility | 11.7% | Not working |
| Steering | 9.6% | Gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 2.5% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Road Wheels | 1.4% | Fixing missing |
Buying a used Volvo V50: what to check
These checks follow the Volvo V50’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Volvo V50 comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 64.3% to 60.4%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 0–30,000 mi to 30,000–60,000 mi: 90.0% down to 77.0%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Suspension
Recorded in 55.0% of failed Volvo V50 MOTs.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
2. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 50.2% of failed Volvo V50 MOTs.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
3. Brakes
Recorded in 30.7% of failed Volvo V50 MOTs.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
4. Tyres
Recorded in 26.4% of failed Volvo V50 MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
5. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 21.0% of failed Volvo V50 MOTs.
Look underneath and along the sills for corrosion, especially near suspension and seat-belt mountings. Uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint can indicate accident repair.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Volvo service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Volvo models
- Volvo XC90 — 80.2% pass rate
- Volvo V70 — 70.6% pass rate
- Volvo V60 — 82.6% pass rate
- Volvo C30 — 67.4% pass rate
- Volvo S60 — 78.0% pass rate
- Volvo S40 — 64.3% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Volvo V50?
- 62.3% of Volvo V50 MOT tests pass, based on 44,029 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Volvo V50?
- The most common reason the Volvo V50 fails its MOT is suspension — present in 55.0% of failed tests, most often logged as "Pin or bush excessively worn".
- What are the common problems with the Volvo V50?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Volvo V50 are suspension; lights and electrics; brakes.
- What should I check when buying a used Volvo V50?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: suspension; lights and electrics; brakes; tyres; bodywork and corrosion. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Volvo V50's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Volvo service history guide for how to check and keep one.