2012 · 12 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2012 Volvo V50 MOT pass rate and common faults

3,107 MOT tests in 2024. 59.2% passed first time, compared with 64.3% for all cars the same age.

92Below average
Passed first time59.2%
Failed or needed repairs40.8%
Typical mileage at test115,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 3,107 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt8.1%
  2. Coil spring: fractured or broken6.1%
  3. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn4.6%
  4. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed4.2%
    180 marked dangerous
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.8%
    107 marked dangerous
  6. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.5%
    111 marked dangerous
  7. Anti-roll bars - linkage: fractured2.1%
    76 marked dangerous
  8. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn1.7%
  9. Individual direction indicators: incorrect colour1.7%
  10. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.7%

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension21.9%
  2. Lights & electrics16.3%
  3. Tyres11.3%
  4. Brakes10.8%
  5. Body & chassis10.0%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.7%
  7. Emissions & leaks2.8%
  8. Steering1.8%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm23.9%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn14.4%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened9.7%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick9.6%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure6.8%

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.

← 2011 V50All V50 years

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2012 Volvo V50?

In 2024, 59.2% of 2012 Volvo V50 cars passed their MOT first time, across 3,107 tests. The average for all 12-year-old cars was 64.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2012 Volvo V50?

The most common failure reasons were joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; coil spring: fractured or broken; suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2012 Volvo V50 reliable at MOT time?

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