How much does a 2005 VOLVO V50 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,157 (£180/month), including £1137 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2005 VOLVO V50?

The 2005 VOLVO V50 has a 69% MOT pass rate based on 4,054 tests in 2026. This ranks 383 out of 526 cars from 2005.

Which year VOLVO V50 is most reliable?

The 2012 VOLVO V50 has the highest MOT pass rate at 75%. The least reliable year is 2004 at 69%.

What is the average mileage for a 2005 VOLVO V50?

The average mileage for a 2005 VOLVO V50 is 140,432 miles, which is in line with the expected 155,400 miles for a 21-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

VOLVO V50 (2005)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 4,054 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,157

£180/month

MOT Pass Rate

69%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 12-25

1596cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

69% pass rate, £2157/year to run. 13 points below average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft

£4.99

Check a specific VOLVO V50

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

Petrol1596cc21 years old4,054 tests140k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1596cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137

Road Tax

Based on 1596cc

£265

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,157

Per month£180/mo

Per week£41/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

🛡️

Get an insurance quote for this VOLVO V50

Compare quotes and find the best deal

Reliability Verdict

69% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 13 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the VOLVO brand average of 87%.

At 21 years old, 69% of VOLVO V50s from 2005 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 4,054 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 140,432 miles.

Got a VOLVO V50 you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2005 cars383th of 526(top 73%)

Rank among VOLVO models615th of 635(top 97%)

vs national average-13%(82% avg)

vs 2005 cars average-3%(72% avg)

vs VOLVO average-18%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

140,432

Average miles

155,400

Expected for age

The average 2005 VOLVO V50 has 140,432 miles on the clock, which is in line with the expected 155,400 miles for a 21-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

Looking at a specific VOLVO V50?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2012 model with a 75% MOT pass rate, while the 2004 model has the lowest at 69%. The 2005 sits between the two at 69%.

VOLVO V50 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2012	75%	6,231	118,265 mi
2011	72%	8,177	129,286 mi
2010	72%	9,041	127,191 mi
2009	72%	8,873	128,675 mi
2008	70%	10,616	137,325 mi
2007	71%	5,752	143,678 mi
2006	69%	5,492	142,844 mi
2005	69%	4,054	140,432 mi
2004	69%	1,784	133,972 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

FORD FOCUS

2007 · 1596cc Petrol

£1,827/year

73%

+4%

BMW 3 SERIES

2007 · 1796cc Petrol

£1,867/year

80%

+11%

MINI MINI

2007 · 1598cc Petrol

£1,827/year

73%

+4%

RENAULT CLIO

2007 · 1998cc Petrol

£2,217/year

68%

-1%

Check a Specific Volvo V50

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

About the 2005 VOLVO V50

The 2005 VOLVO V50 is a premium with a 1596cc petrol engine. 4,054 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2005, the average MOT pass rate is 72%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 140,432 miles at 21 years old, VOLVO V50 owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2005 VOLVO V50 Fuel Costs

The 1596cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2005 VOLVO V50?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,157 (£180/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 69% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

VOLVO V50 Reliability Trend

The VOLVO V50 has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 3 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2005 VOLVO V50

At 21 years old, the VOLVO V50 is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2012 model has the highest pass rate at 75%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2005 VOLVO V50's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 140k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Engine Mounts

Medium risk

Worn engine mounts cause excessive vibration and movement. Replacement costs £150-£400 per mount. Check for vibration at idle with the bonnet open.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 69% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2005 VOLVO V50 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
VOLVO V50(2005)	69%	£1137	£265	Grp 12-25	£2157
FORD FOCUS(2007)	73%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£330
BMW 3 SERIES(2007)	80%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£1867-£290
MINI MINI(2007)	73%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£330
RENAULT CLIO(2007)	68%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2217+£60

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.