2006 · 18 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2006 Volvo V50 MOT pass rate and common faults

2,527 MOT tests in 2024. 53.4% passed first time, compared with 56.1% for all cars the same age.

95Below average
Passed first time53.4%
Failed or needed repairs46.6%
Typical mileage at test137,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 2,527 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt6.6%
  2. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements5.3%
  3. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak4.7%
  4. Coil spring: fractured or broken4.7%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn4.3%
  6. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed4.2%
    151 marked dangerous
  7. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn3.9%
  8. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.6%
    153 marked dangerous
  9. Position lamp: not working3.6%
  10. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.7%

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension31.3%
  2. Lights & electrics26.1%
  3. Brakes20.2%
  4. Tyres13.1%
  5. Body & chassis12.4%
  6. Emissions & leaks7.6%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.1%
  8. Steering4.1%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm25.6%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened14.0%
  3. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened10.8%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick10.3%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn10.1%

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 2006 Volvo V50?

In 2024, 53.4% of 2006 Volvo V50 cars passed their MOT first time, across 2,527 tests. The average for all 18-year-old cars was 56.1%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2006 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; shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2006 Volvo V50 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 95, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).