2005 · 19 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2005 Volvo V50 MOT pass rate and common faults

1,825 MOT tests in 2024. 51.3% passed first time, compared with 56.5% for all cars the same age.

91Well below average
Passed first time51.3%
Failed or needed repairs48.7%
Typical mileage at test137,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,825 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt7.5%
  2. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements7.0%
  3. Coil spring: fractured or broken5.8%
  4. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak4.2%
  5. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed3.9%
    112 marked dangerous
  6. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn3.6%
  7. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.6%
  8. Parking brake performance: inoperative on one side3.4%
  9. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.3%
    87 marked dangerous
  10. Position lamp: not working3.2%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Suspension31.5%
  2. Lights & electrics24.5%
  3. Brakes24.1%
  4. Body & chassis14.5%
  5. Tyres12.8%
  6. Emissions & leaks9.2%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.9%
  8. Steering5.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm23.6%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened14.1%
  3. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened10.8%
  4. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn10.4%
  5. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine9.2%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2005 Volvo V50?

In 2024, 51.3% of 2005 Volvo V50 cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,825 tests. The average for all 19-year-old cars was 56.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2005 Volvo V50?

The most common failure reasons were joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements; coil spring: fractured or broken. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2005 Volvo V50 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 91, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).