2009 Volvo V50 petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2009 Volvo V50 petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2009 Volvo V50 petrol than on all cars registered in 2009.

• Exhaust system1.7× usual
  Volvo V50

  13.7% All 2009 cars

  7.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 2.2% of all 2009 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.

• Sidelights1.8× usual
  Volvo V50

  12.2% All 2009 cars

  6.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.8%, against 6% of all 2009 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.

• Steering rack4× usual
  Volvo V50

  3.6% All 2009 cars

  0.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 0.4% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

• Rear reflectors6.8× usual
  Volvo V50

  2.7% All 2009 cars

  0.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.1% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

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

• Power steering pipes and hoses8× usual
  Volvo V50

  2.4% All 2009 cars

  0.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0% of all 2009 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 2009 Volvo V50 petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2009 Volvo V50 petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  39% 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
  35% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  34% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Brakes
  27% 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
  15% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  9% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Known faults on the 2009 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 2009 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 1.7× as often on the 2009 Volvo V50 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the sidelights? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2009 Volvo V50 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the steering rack? (Flagged at MOT 4× as often on the 2009 Volvo V50 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?