Is the 2011 VOLVO V50 reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 72% of VOLVO V50s from 2011 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 8,177 tests. That's 10 points below the national average of 82%.

How much does a 2011 VOLVO V50 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,195 (£183/month), including £1245 fuel, £395 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2011 VOLVO V50?

The 2011 VOLVO V50 has a 72% MOT pass rate based on 8,177 tests in 2026. This ranks 527 out of 615 cars from 2011.

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 2011 VOLVO V50?

The average mileage for a 2011 VOLVO V50 is 129,286 miles, which is in line with the expected 111,000 miles for a 15-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

VOLVO V50 (2011)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 8,177 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,195

£183/month

MOT Pass Rate

72%

Average

Road Tax

£395

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 25-38

2400cc Diesel

Check Carefully

72% pass rate, £2195/year to run. 10 points below average.

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Diesel2400cc15 years old8,177 tests129k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2400cc)

~40 mpg

£1,245

Road Tax

Based on 2400cc

£395

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£2,195

Per month£183/mo

Per week£42/wk

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

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Reliability Verdict

72% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 10 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the VOLVO brand average of 87%.

At 15 years old, 72% of VOLVO V50s from 2011 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 8,177 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 129,286 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2011 cars527th of 615(top 86%)

Rank among VOLVO models578th of 635(top 91%)

vs national average-10%(82% avg)

vs 2011 cars average-5%(77% avg)

vs VOLVO average-15%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

129,286

Average miles

111,000

Expected for age

The average 2011 VOLVO V50 has 129,286 miles on the clock, which is in line with the expected 111,000 miles for a 15-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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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 2011 sits between the two at 72%.

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

£1,727/year

74%

+2%

BMW 3 SERIES

2013 · 1995cc Diesel

£1,577/year

85%

+13%

VAUXHALL ZAFIRA

2013 · 1956cc Diesel

£1,727/year

78%

+6%

FORD TRANSIT

2013 · 2198cc Diesel

£2,050/year

74%

+2%

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About the 2011 VOLVO V50

The 2011 VOLVO V50 is a premium with a 2400cc diesel engine. 8,177 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 86% of 2011 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 129,286 miles at 15 years old, VOLVO V50 owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2011 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 £1,245 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (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 2011 VOLVO V50?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,195 (£183/month), broken down as £1245 fuel, £395 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 72% 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 2011 VOLVO V50

At 15 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 8,177 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2011 VOLVO V50's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

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 129k 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 2011 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(2011)	72%	£1245	£395	Grp 25-38	£2195
VAUXHALL ASTRA(2010)	74%	£1037	£135	Grp 18-32	£1727-£468
BMW 3 SERIES(2013)	85%	£1037	£135	Grp 18-32	£1577-£618
VAUXHALL ZAFIRA(2013)	78%	£1037	£135	Grp 18-32	£1727-£468
FORD TRANSIT(2013)	74%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£2050-£145

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.