2011 Volvo V50: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2011 Volvo V50?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2011 Volvo V50 than on all cars registered in 2011.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints3.7× usual
  Volvo V50

  15% All 2011 cars

  4.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.7%, against 2% of all 2011 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 arm bushes and joints1.7× usual
  Volvo V50

  16.7% All 2011 cars

  9.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 2.1% of all 2011 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 links17× usual
  Volvo V50

  5.1% All 2011 cars

  0.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 0.3% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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.

• Individual direction indicators2.1× usual
  Volvo V50

  6.4% All 2011 cars

  3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 1.2% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Steering rack inner joints2.5× usual
  Volvo V50

  5.5% All 2011 cars

  2.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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.

Petrol or diesel: does it make a difference?

The same figures for each fuel on its own. Check which one the car you're looking at is: it's on the logbook and in its MOT history.

Common 2011 Volvo V50 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2011 Volvo V50 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  42% 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
  33% 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
  26% 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
  15% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  10% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Known faults on the 2011 Volvo V50

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Fuel pipe, handbrake and fan recalls

  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

  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

  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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2011 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 2011 Volvo V50 as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2011 Volvo V50 as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar links? (Flagged at MOT 17× as often on the 2011 Volvo V50 as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?