Volvo V50 (2008)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 10,616 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,641

£220/month

MOT Pass Rate

70%

Average

Road Tax

£410

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 25-38

2400cc Diesel

Check Carefully

70% pass rate, £2,641/year to run. 12 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.

Diesel2400cc18 years old10,616 tests137k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2400cc)

~40 mpg

£1,676

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£410

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£2,641

Per month£220/mo

Per week£51/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), diesel at 199.33p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

70% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 12 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Volvo brand average of 87%.

70% of MOT tests on Volvo V50s from 2008 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 16 years old. That's based on 10,616 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 137,325 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 2008 models426th of 566(bottom 25%)

Rank among Volvo models590th of 619(bottom 5%)

vs average of all models-12%(82% avg)

vs 2008 models average-3%(73% avg)

vs Volvo average-17%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

137,325

Average miles

118,400

Expected for age

The average 2008 Volvo V50 had 137,325 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is in line with the expected 118,400 miles for a 16-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?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2012 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 75%, while the 2004 model has the lowest at 69%. The 2008 scores 70%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

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

Vauxhall Astra

2010 · 1910cc Diesel

£2,227/year

74%

+4%

Honda Civic

2007 · 2204cc Diesel

£2,641/year

72%

+2%

Audi A4

2008 · 1968cc Diesel

£2,227/year

78%

+8%

Ford Mondeo

2010 · 1999cc Diesel

£2,227/year

75%

+5%

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 2008 Volvo V50

The 2008 Volvo V50 is a premium car. Our records list a 2400cc diesel engine, though engines vary between versions. 10,616 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it one of the most commonly tested models on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 25% of 2008 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 137,325 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Volvo V50 owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2008 Volvo V50 Fuel Costs

The 2400cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 40 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,676 per year with diesel at 199.33p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2008 Volvo V50?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,641 (£220/month), broken down as £1,676 fuel, £410 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 70% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

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 2008 Volvo V50

At 18 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%. With 10,616 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Dual Mass Flywheel

Watch out

Larger diesel engines put extra strain on the dual mass flywheel. Listen for rattling at idle. Replacement with clutch is £800-£1,500.

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 137k 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.

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 2008 Volvo V50 stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Volvo V50(2008)	70%	£1,676	£410	Grp 25-38	£2,641
Vauxhall Astra(2010)	74%	£1,397	£275	Grp 18-32	£2,227-£414
Honda Civic(2007)	72%	£1,676	£410	Grp 25-38	£2,641same
Audi A4(2008)	78%	£1,397	£275	Grp 18-32	£2,227-£414
Ford Mondeo(2010)	75%	£1,397	£275	Grp 18-32	£2,227-£414

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2008 Volvo V50

Is the 2008 Volvo V50 reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 70% of MOT tests on 2008 Volvo V50s ended in a pass, from 10,616 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 12 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2008 Volvo V50 cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,641 a year (£220 a month): £1,676 fuel, £410 road tax, £55 MOT and £500 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2008 Volvo V50?

70% of 10,616 MOT tests on the 2008 Volvo V50 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 426th of 566 models first registered in 2008 (bottom 25%).

Which year Volvo V50 has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2012 Volvo V50 has the highest MOT pass rate at 75% and the 2004 the lowest at 69%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2008 Volvo V50?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2008 Volvo V50 is 137,325 miles, which is in line with the expected 118,400 miles for a 16-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.