Volvo V50 statistics

• Licensed in Great Britain 22,523 −13.6% on a year earlier
• Declared SORN 3,756 Off the road, not taxed
• MOT first-time pass rate, 2025 55.2% Cars of the same ages 60.2%
• Rank by number licensed No. 223 of 1,159 models we cover
• Peak year 2012 51,377 licensed
• Average annual mileage 6,558 miles a year

How many Volvo V50s are left in Great Britain?

There were 22,523 Volvo V50s licensed in Great Britain at the end of March 2026, and a further 3,756 declared off the road (SORN). That is 56.2% fewer than the peak of 51,377 in 2012.

Volvo V50 MOT reliability

In 2025, 55.2% of Volvo V50 MOT tests were passed first time, against 72.8% for all cars. Cars of the same ages as the Volvo V50s tested pass 60.2% of the time, so the Volvo V50 does worse than average for its age, by 5.0 points. In 2024 its pass rate was 54.7%.

Volvo V50 MOT failures

Suspension is the most common reason a Volvo V50 fails its MOT, appearing on 46.1% of failed tests. A failed test can have defects in more than one category, so shares add up to more than 100%. 15.1% of Volvo V50 tests found at least one dangerous defect, against 7.3% for all cars.

Most common Volvo V50 MOT defects and advisories

The single most common reason a Volvo V50 failed its MOT in 2025 was “Drive shafts: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt”, on 15.5% of 11,717 failed tests. 68.3% of tests ended with at least one advisory, a problem to watch that did not fail the test; the most common was “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge”. The same fault on any wheel or side counts once.

Volvo V50 by year

9 years of the Volvo V50, by year of first registration, have their own page with MOT results, common faults, mileage and how many are left. Against all cars of the same age, the 2010 cars did best at their 2025 MOT (57.1% passed first time) and the 2005 cars worst (51.6%).

Volvo V50 engine sizes and fuel types

Of the 23,916 Volvo V50s licensed in the UK at the end of 2025, 41.6% have an engine of 1,901cc to 2,000cc, and 38.8% have an engine of 1,501cc to 1,600cc. The share with an engine of 1,501cc to 1,600cc has grown from 28.8% in 2014 to 38.8%.

United Kingdom figures from DfT table VEH0220 (licensed cars at the end of each year, SORN excluded), so they differ slightly from the Great Britain counts elsewhere on this page. How we use engine sizes.

Volvo V50 fuel economy and CO2

The Vehicle Certification Agency’s new car data lists the Volvo V50 from 2004 to 2013. On the NEDC test (listings 2004 to 2013), official combined fuel economy for its petrol, diesel and other fuel versions ranges from 27.7 to 74.3 mpg, with CO2 of 99 to 243 g/km.

Source:VCA July 2000 to 15 September 2026 Updated 15 Sept 2026

• Official figures from laboratory type-approval tests. VCA says they may not be achieved in real-world driving, and should not be used to rank cars with similar figures.
• Engine sizes are rounded to the nearest 0.1 litre. A version is one line in VCA’s data (description, gearbox, engine and fuel), counted once however many years it was listed. Matched from VCA’s model names “V50, Model Year 2012”, “V50 Model Year 09”, “V50 Model Year 08”, “V50 Model Year 2010”. How we use VCA’s figures.

Volvo V50 safety recalls

DVSA lists 24 safety recalls for the Volvo V50 since 1992, the first in 2005. The most recent was launched on 23 December 2013.

All 24 Volvo V50 recalls, with defects, remedies and build dates

A recall applies to cars built on particular dates or with particular VINs, not to every Volvo V50. The details come from manufacturers through DVSA, which says they may be delayed or incomplete. To check a specific car, use GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check or ask the manufacturer or a dealer. How we match recalls to models.

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis January 1992 to September 2026 Updated 15 Sept 2026

Compare the Volvo V50 with other Volvo models