2008 · 16 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2008 Volvo V50 MOT pass rate and common faults

4,940 MOT tests in 2024. 52.2% passed first time, compared with 56.9% for all cars the same age.

92Well below average
Passed first time52.2%
Failed or needed repairs47.8%
Typical mileage at test133,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 4,940 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt6.9%
  2. Position lamp: not working6.8%
  3. Coil spring: fractured or broken5.4%
  4. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn4.1%
  5. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed3.9%
    263 marked dangerous
  6. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn3.6%
  7. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick3.0%
    180 marked dangerous
  8. Steering rack: gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.9%
  9. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak2.8%
  10. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.8%
    195 marked dangerous

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics28.0%
  2. Suspension26.5%
  3. Brakes16.9%
  4. Body & chassis12.8%
  5. Tyres11.8%
  6. Emissions & leaks8.6%
  7. Steering6.2%
  8. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.1%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm24.7%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened12.1%
  3. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn10.9%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick9.8%
  5. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened8.8%

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 2008 Volvo V50?

In 2024, 52.2% of 2008 Volvo V50 cars passed their MOT first time, across 4,940 tests. The average for all 16-year-old cars was 56.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2008 Volvo V50?

The most common failure reasons were joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; position lamp: not working; coil spring: fractured or broken. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2008 Volvo V50 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 92, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).