VOLVO V50 Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 3,386 MOT tests from 175 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®. The figures below describe that VehicleScore® sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are not a claim that every VOLVO V50 has the same fault.

VOLVO V50's have a average reliability rating of 440/999. The score was calculated from the average of every VOLVO V50 that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the VOLVO V50.

VOLVO V50 (example)

Check the reliability of your Volvo V50

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
Diesel	2012	476/999Average	83,640 miles	958 vehicles
Diesel	2011	444/999Average	82,275 miles	3,803 vehicles
Diesel	2009	433/999Average	82,434 miles	3,844 vehicles
Petrol	2009	448/999Average	83,974 miles	708 vehicles
Petrol	2005	420/999Average	78,266 miles	585 vehicles
Diesel	2004	418/999Average	83,782 miles	999 vehicles

How reliable is the VOLVO V50?

Based on 3,386 MOT tests from 175 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®.

Vehicles

175

MOT tests

3,386

Pass rate

73.3%

Median mileage

129,393 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every VOLVO V50 has the same fault. The median VehicleScore® in this sample is 499 out of 999.

Common VOLVO V50 MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 586 advisory comments and 32 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 52 advisory comments and 109 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE REAR COIL SPRING CORRODED (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 133 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Suspension arm issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 48 advisory comments and 35 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a worn, corroded, or damaged suspension arm or its pin.

What to inspect

Look for play or corrosion at the arm and ask whether it has been replaced.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT SUSPENSION ARM PIN OR BUSH WORN BUT NOT RESULTING IN EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT (5.3.4 (A) (I))

Oil leak

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 79 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Corrosion

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 62 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: REAR SUB-FRAME CORRODED BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (5.3.3 (B) (I))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 55 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 39 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT POSITION LAMP NOT WORKING (4.2.1 (A) (II))

VOLVO V50 MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore® has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2012	21	301	76.7%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2011	27	446	75.1%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2010	21	353	75.4%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2009	27	545	72.3%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2008	28	627	70.2%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2007	14	304	77.3%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2006	11	261	70.1%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2005	10	255	71%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2004	6	125	78.4%	Suspension arm issues, Tyre wear

What to check when buying a used VOLVO V50

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore® sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Suspension arm issues. Look for play or corrosion at the arm and ask whether it has been replaced.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Buying a VOLVO V50?

Common problems tell you what can affect VOLVO V50s generally. VehicleScore® can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore® analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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