Volvo V50: what fails at MOT
41,000 MOT tests on the Volvo V50 in 2024, counted. 44.1% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
44.1% of Volvo V50 tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 39.3%, so the V50 does worse than most cars its age.
It fails most often on suspension (13.7% of tests), lights and electrics (12.7% of tests) and tyres (7.4% of tests). It fails on tyres, body and structure and steering more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 4,607 | 36.9% | 33.4% | 114,800 86,400 to 144,000 |
| 2011 | 5,805 | 43.3% | 36.1% | 126,800 99,500 to 155,800 |
| 2010 | 6,482 | 43.4% | 38.6% | 126,900 99,800 to 152,400 |
| 2009 | 6,182 | 43.4% | 39.8% | 127,800 99,400 to 155,100 |
| 2008 | 6,821 | 47.3% | 41.5% | 133,900 107,600 to 161,200 |
| 2007 | 3,701 | 45.4% | 41.5% | 141,500 113,900 to 170,900 |
| 2006 | 3,504 | 47.4% | 42.4% | 138,800 111,400 to 170,100 |
| 2005 | 2,619 | 47.4% | 42.2% | 138,600 108,900 to 165,400 |
| 2004 | 1,186 | 45.5% | 42.3% | 129,600 100,800 to 159,500 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Volvo V50 tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | V50 | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 13.7% | 10.7% | |
| Lights and electrics | 12.7% | 12.7% | |
| Tyres | 7.4% | 4.9% | More than most |
| Brakes | 7.0% | 7.3% | |
| Body and structure | 6.4% | 4.4% | More than most |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 3.8% | 4.3% | |
| Exhaust and emissions | 3.5% | 3.7% | |
| Steering | 3.0% | 2.3% | More than most |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre5.8%
- Side light4.6%
- Driveshaft joint4.5%
- Coil spring3.9%
- Headlamp aim3.7%
- Suspension pins and bushes3.0%
- Headlamp2.6%
- Ball joint2.5%
- Tyre tread2.3%
- Brake test2.2%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Side light: not working4.5%
- Driveshaft joint: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt4.3%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken3.9%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.0%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed2.9%
- Ball joint: excessively worn2.4%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm2.2%
- Brake test: efficiency below requirements1.8%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.8%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.7%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge18.6%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement8.7%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened7.9%
- Brake pads: wearing thin6.6%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive5.3%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing4.8%
- Coil spring: corroded4.8%
- Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened3.0%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “Is there any corrosion underneath or around the sills and arches?”
- “Is there any play, knocking or stiffness in the steering?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
Check a Volvo V50's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.