Used car guide

2004 Volvo V50: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2004 Volvo V50s, from 642 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

642MOT tests in 2025
54%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 58%)
6,200typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2004 Volvo V50s than on all cars registered in 2004.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2× usual
    Volvo V50
    13.7% All 2004 cars
    6.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.5%, against 2.9% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Suspension arm2.2× usual
    Volvo V50
    9.2% All 2004 cars
    4.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 0.4% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints2.2× usual
    Volvo V50
    8.6% All 2004 cars
    3.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 1.4% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

By area

The share of 2004 Volvo V50 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    51% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Tyres
    39% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Lights and electrics
    36% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Brakes
    35% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    14% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    12% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Looking at a Volvo V50?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20123,015Suspension 41%
20113,895Suspension 45%
20104,099Suspension 46%
20094,024Suspension 45%
20084,449Suspension 50%
20072,306Suspension 52%
20062,287Suspension 51%
20051,502Suspension 55%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2004 Volvo V50s registered in 2004. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score