MOT performance
Volvo V50 MOT pass rate and common failures
Across 63,673 MOT tests of the Volvo V50 in 2023–2024, 54.8% passed first time. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, Volvo V50s failed 6% more often than comparable cars. The most common failure item was “position lamp: not working”, on 6.68% of tests.
63,673 MOT tests on 33,654 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
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| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 54.8% | ±0.4 pts (95%), n = 63,673 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 1.06× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00 |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 15.0% | n = 63,673 |
| Average age at test | 14.3 years | n = 63,673 |
| Median mileage at test | 127,653 miles | n = 63,673 |
| Vehicles tested | 33,654 | 2023–2024 |
Where Volvo V50s fail
The share of MOT tests that failed on each area, and how that compares with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel. Areas where the difference is large and clear link to their own page.
| Area | Tests failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 20.2% | +14% |
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 18.6% | -7% |
| Tyres | 10.8% | +33% |
| Brakes | 10.3% | -16% |
| Body, chassis and structure | 9.3% | +26% |
| Driver's view of the road | 5.7% | -12% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 4.9% | -11% |
| Steering | 4.2% | +6% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 1.4% | -38% |
| Road wheels | 0.6% | -14% |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.4% | -32% |
| Speedometer and driving controls | 0.0% | +9% |
Volvo V50 MOT pass rate by fuel: diesel vs petrol
Raw pass rates partly reflect how old each fuel's cars are; the adjusted column compares each with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel.
| Fuel | Tests | Average age | First-time pass | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 51,054 | 13.9 yrs | 54.5% | +9% |
| Petrol | 12,619 | 15.8 yrs | 56.1% | -3% |
Most common failure items
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Position lamp: not working | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 6.68% |
| Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | Body, chassis and structure | 6.38% |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | Suspension | 6.36% |
| Condition: has ply or cords exposed | Tyres | 4.28% |
| Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 4.08% |
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 3.17% |
| Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 2.70% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 2.57% |
| Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements | Brakes | 2.56% |
| Headlamp: not working on dipped beam | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 2.56% |
Most common advisories
Advisories are items the tester expects to need attention soon; they don't fail the test.
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 24.20% |
| Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 12.21% |
| Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 11.07% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 9.47% |
| Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine | Noise, emissions and leaks | 7.41% |
Pass rate by age
| Age at test (years) | Tests | First-time pass rate | Failures vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9-10 | 1,346 | 62.1% | +11% |
| 11-12 | 14,133 | 57.1% | +11% |
| 13-15 | 29,162 | 54.3% | +6% |
| 16+ | 19,030 | 53.2% | +3% |
Pass rate by registration year
| Registered | Tests | First-time pass rate | Failures vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 6,339 | 59.5% | 1.09× |
| 2011 | 8,629 | 56.2% | 1.11× |
| 2010 | 9,653 | 55.7% | 1.07× |
| 2009 | 9,613 | 54.5% | 1.07× |
| 2008 | 11,157 | 52.4% | 1.07× |
| 2007 | 6,073 | 54.6% | 1.01× |
| 2006 | 5,937 | 54.4% | 1.01× |
| 2005 | 4,401 | 51.5% | 1.06× |
| 2004 | 1,857 | 53.3% | 1.02× |
Years with fewer tests are shown for completeness; only years with enough tests have their own page.
Check a specific Volvo V50
Enter a UK registration to see that car's own MOT history and what it is likely to cost to own. Your first check is free and shows the vehicle summary and its headline ownership cost. The category-by-category breakdown is part of a paid check.
UK number plate or 17-character VIN
About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.