2004 Volvo V50 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2004 Volvo V50 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2004 Volvo V50 diesel than on all cars registered in 2004.

• Tread depth1.7× usual
  Volvo V50

  32.4% All 2004 cars

  19.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 2.8% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.4× usual
  Volvo V50

  15.9% All 2004 cars

  6.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.9%, against 3% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

• Anti-roll bar link joints3.1× usual
  Volvo V50

  12.4% All 2004 cars

  4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 1.5% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Suspension arm3.2× usual
  Volvo V50

  10.8% All 2004 cars

  3.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 0.4% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Coil springs1.7× usual
  Volvo V50

  18.3% All 2004 cars

  10.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.7%, against 2.7% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

Common 2004 Volvo V50 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2004 Volvo V50 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  58% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Tyres
  44% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Brakes
  39% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Lights and electrics
  36% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Driveshafts and joints
  16% of testsRough price £60–£350

  At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

• Exhaust and emissions
  14% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Known faults on the 2004 Volvo V50 diesel

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Fuel pipe, handbrake and fan recalls

  All engines

  There were several recalls, for possible fuel and power steering pipe leaks, faulty handbrakes and faulty cooling fans.

  At the viewing: Run the free DVSA recall check on the reg.

  Source: What Car?: Volvo V50 (2004-2012) reliability

• Air con condenser failure

  All engines

  The air con condenser tends to wear through.

  At the viewing: Make sure the climate control blows properly cold.

  Source: What Car?: Volvo V50 (2004-2012) reliability

• Worn suspension arms and drop links

  All engines

  Clicking when the car is rocked side to side can mean worn lower arms or drop links.

  At the viewing: Rock the car and listen for clicks, and for knocks over bumps on the test drive.

  Source: What Car?: Volvo V50 (2004-2012) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2004 Volvo V50 diesel

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Has all the recall work been done?
2. Any recent work on the tread depth? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2004 Volvo V50 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2004 Volvo V50 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.1× as often on the 2004 Volvo V50 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?