Used car guide · 2004–2026

Volvo V50 common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Volvo V50, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 89,658 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

89,658MOTs done in 2023–2025, all years of this model
27,332on the UK register
3known faults across all years
2007best year at its MOT

Pick the year

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

2026201220112010200920082007200620052004

What usually goes wrong with a Volvo V50?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Fuel pipe, handbrake and fan recalls

    Cars registered 2004–2012 · All engines

    There were several recalls, for possible fuel and power steering pipe leaks, faulty handbrakes and faulty cooling fans.

    At the viewing: Run the free DVSA recall check on the reg.

    Source: What Car?: Volvo V50 (2004-2012) reliability

  • Air con condenser failure

    Cars registered 2004–2012 · All engines

    The air con condenser tends to wear through.

    At the viewing: Make sure the climate control blows properly cold.

    Source: What Car?: Volvo V50 (2004-2012) reliability

  • Worn suspension arms and drop links

    Cars registered 2004–2012 · All engines

    Clicking when the car is rocked side to side can mean worn lower arms or drop links.

    At the viewing: Rock the car and listen for clicks, and for knocks over bumps on the test drive.

    Source: What Car?: Volvo V50 (2004-2012) reliability

Common Volvo V50 MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints

    up to 3.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2012.

    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.

  • Anti-roll bar links

    up to 17× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

    Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

  • Steering rack

    up to 4.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Side repeaters

    up to 2.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006, 2007 and 2008.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

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

  • Wheels

    up to 2.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006, 2007 and 2012.

    Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

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

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 1.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

    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.

Volvo V50 MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2007 Volvo V50 did best (55% passed first time, 2 points below all 2007 cars) and the 2011 did worst (56%, 6 points below all 2011 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
201259%64% -59,302
201156%62% -612,487
201056%60% -413,706
200955%59% -413,588
200852%57% -515,587
200755%57% -28,361
200654%56% -28,223
200552%57% -55,901
200454%57% -32,503

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Volvo V50

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Has all the recall work been done?
  2. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.7× as often on the Volvo V50 as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar links? (Flagged at MOT 17× as often on the Volvo V50 as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the steering rack? (Flagged at MOT 4.2× as often on the Volvo V50 as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Volvo V50?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score