2008 Volvo V50 petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2008 Volvo V50 petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2008 Volvo V50 petrol than on all cars registered in 2008.

• Exhaust system1.8× usual
  Volvo V50

  15.1% All 2008 cars

  8.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 2.4% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

• Sidelights1.9× usual
  Volvo V50

  13.4% All 2008 cars

  7.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 10.1%, against 6.3% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints1.8× usual
  Volvo V50

  12% All 2008 cars

  6.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.9%, against 3% of all 2008 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.

• Engine warning light2.1× usual
  Volvo V50

  5.5% All 2008 cars

  2.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.5%, against 2.6% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Power steering pipes and hoses7.8× usual
  Volvo V50

  3.1% All 2008 cars

  0.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.1% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

Common 2008 Volvo V50 petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2008 Volvo V50 petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  45% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  37% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Tyres
  37% 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
  30% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  18% 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 an engine warning light.

• Driveshafts and joints
  12% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

Known faults on the 2008 Volvo V50 petrol

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 2008 Volvo V50 petrol

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 exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2008 Volvo V50 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the sidelights? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2008 Volvo V50 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2008 Volvo V50 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?