Volvo V50 (2012)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 6,231 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,511

£209/month

MOT Pass Rate

75%

Average

Road Tax

£325

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 18-32

1948cc Petrol

Check Carefully

75% pass rate, £2,511/year to run. 7 points below average.

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Petrol1948cc14 years old6,231 tests118k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1948cc)

~36 mpg

£1,631

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£325

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£500

Total per year£2,511

Per month£209/mo

Per week£48/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p 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

75% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 7 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Volvo brand average of 87%.

75% of MOT tests on Volvo V50s from 2012 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 12 years old. That's based on 6,231 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 118,265 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2012 models512th of 650(bottom 22%)

Rank among Volvo models522nd of 619(bottom 16%)

vs average of all models-7%(82% avg)

vs 2012 models average-3%(78% avg)

vs Volvo average-12%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

118,265

Average miles

88,800

Expected for age

The average 2012 Volvo V50 had 118,265 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is above the expected 88,800 miles for a 12-year-old car. Higher-mileage cars often have more motorway miles, which is generally less harmful than stop-start urban driving.

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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

2013 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,228/year

78%

+3%

Nissan Qashqai

2013 · 1600cc Petrol

£2,228/year

72%

-3%

Mercedes C

2012 · 1796cc Petrol

£2,511/year

79%

+4%

MINI

2010 · 1598cc Petrol

£2,078/year

80%

+5%

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About the 2012 Volvo V50

The 2012 Volvo V50 is a premium car. Our records list a 1948cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 6,231 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 22% of 2012 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 118,265 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Volvo V50 owners cover more miles than the average driver.

2012 Volvo V50 Fuel Costs

The 1948cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,631 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2012 Volvo V50?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,511 (£209/month), broken down as £1,631 fuel, £325 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 75% 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 2012 Volvo V50

At 14 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. With 6,231 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.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 14 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

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 118k 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.

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 2012 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(2012)	75%	£1,631	£325	Grp 18-32	£2,511
Ford Focus(2013)	78%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228-£283
Nissan Qashqai(2013)	72%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228-£283
Mercedes C(2012)	79%	£1,631	£325	Grp 18-32	£2,511same
MINI(2010)	80%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,078-£433

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 2012 Volvo V50

Is the 2012 Volvo V50 reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 75% of MOT tests on 2012 Volvo V50s ended in a pass, from 6,231 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 7 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2012 Volvo V50 cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,511 a year (£209 a month): £1,631 fuel, £325 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 2012 Volvo V50?

75% of 6,231 MOT tests on the 2012 Volvo V50 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 512th of 650 models first registered in 2012 (bottom 22%).

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 2012 Volvo V50?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2012 Volvo V50 is 118,265 miles, which is above the expected 88,800 miles for a 12-year-old car. Higher-mileage cars often have more motorway miles, which is generally less harmful than stop-start urban driving.