2004 Volvo V50 MOT pass rate: 58.9% (2,479 tests)
Is the 2004 V50 getting worse?
Pass rate of 2004-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 59.2% -4.7 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 57.7% -6.3 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 59.9% -5.4 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2004 V50
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 880 | 26.1% |
| 2 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 616 | 18.3% |
| 3 | Brakes | 600 | 17.8% |
| 4 | Tyres | 373 | 11.1% |
| 5 | Body, chassis, structure | 364 | 10.8% |
| 6 | Noise, emissions and leaks | 246 | 7.3% |
All V50 years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 (this page) | 2,479 | 58.9% | -5.4 pts | 129,464 |
| 2005 | 5,846 | 57.5% | -6.9 pts | 137,445 |
| 2006 | 8,162 | 59.5% | -4.9 pts | 138,022 |
| 2007 | 8,306 | 60.7% | -4.4 pts | 138,582 |
| 2008 | 15,479 | 59.3% | -5.8 pts | 133,202 |
| 2009 | 13,505 | 61.8% | -4.6 pts | 126,158 |
| 2010 | 13,632 | 62.8% | -4.6 pts | 125,042 |
| 2011 | 12,411 | 61.7% | -7.5 pts | 125,025 |
| 2012 | 9,243 | 64.1% | -7.2 pts | 114,190 |
Weighing up which year to buy? See the full ranking: Volvo V50 years to avoid.
- Free MOT history checkThe exact car’s failures, advisories and mileage trail — sellers can’t edit it
- Topdon OBD2 scannersTopdon diagnostic scanners with full-system readouts
- XTOOL diagnostic toolsXTOOL code readers for petrol and diesel cars
- Autel UK testersAutel professional-grade diagnostic testers
FAQs
Is a 2004 Volvo V50 reliable?
2004-registered examples passed 58.9% of their MOT tests (2,479 tests, 2023–2025), -5.4 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 22 years old with a median 129,464 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2004 V50?
The median tested example shows 129,464 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Should I buy the petrol or diesel 2004 V50?
In this cohort petrols pass 60.7% of tests against 56.1% for diesels. Mileage and use can explain part of that gap, so treat it as a reason to inspect DPF and emissions history, not a fuel-type verdict.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.