Does the Volvo V50 fail the MOT on noise, emissions and leaks more than it should?
The Volvo V50 records 4.93 noise, emissions and leaks failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 5.93 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−1.00, 95% interval −1.10 to −0.90). It ranks 437 of 678 models on noise, emissions and leaks (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on noise, emissions and leaks · check a Volvo V50 by registration
What exactly fails on noise, emissions and leaks?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Volvo V50 is “Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction”, recorded 3,294 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction | 3,294 | 1.46 |
| Smoke opacity levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limit | 1,964 | 0.87 |
| Emissions test unable to be completed | 1,046 | 0.46 |
| Emissions levels exceed default limits | 887 | 0.39 |
| Smoke opacity levels exceed default limit | 883 | 0.39 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 225,806 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
If a Volvo V50 gets a noise, emissions and leaks advisory, how often does it fail next time?
6.6% of Volvo V50 MOTs with a noise, emissions and leaks advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12 months and 6,108 miles later (9,604 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 9,604 (advisories followed) · Method: the same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
Volvo V50 2004 · Volvo V50 2005 · Volvo V50 2006 · Volvo V50 2007 · Volvo V50 2008 · Volvo V50 2009 · Volvo V50 2010 · Volvo V50 2011 · Volvo V50 2012 · Volvo V50 in Norway · Volvo V50 in Finland · Volvo V50 in the Netherlands · Volvo V50 by postcode area · Volvo V50 body, chassis and structure failures · Volvo V50 brakes failures · Volvo V50 vehicle identification failures · Volvo V50 lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Volvo V50 road wheels failures · Volvo V50 seat belts and airbags failures · Volvo V50 steering failures · Volvo V50 suspension failures · Volvo V50 tyres failures · Volvo V50 visibility failures