Is the Volvo V50 ULEZ Compliant?
Based on 33,780 MOT tests, around 15% of Volvo V50s still on the road are likely to meet London's ULEZ standards, and about 80% are likely to be charged. For the remaining 5%, it depends on the exact Euro standard or month of registration.
The fuel mix matters: tested cars were 80% diesel, 20% petrol. Diesel V50s in the data are mostly from years that are unlikely to comply. Every petrol V50 in the data (2004 onwards) is likely to be compliant.
- Likely compliant
- 15%
- Likely charged
- 80%
- Depends on the car
- 5%
- MOT tests analysed
- 33,780
Check a specific V50
Year and fuel type are a guide. Enter the registration to check that car's own record.
V50 ULEZ compliance by year and fuel
Estimated from the year of first registration. Numbers show how many V50s of each type were MOT tested, as a guide to how common they are.
| First registered | Diesel | Petrol |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Likely charged3,066 tested | Likely compliant153 tested |
| 2011 | Likely charged4,186 tested | Likely compliant253 tested |
| 2010 | Likely charged4,769 tested | Likely compliant280 tested |
| 2009 | Likely charged4,425 tested | Likely compliant661 tested |
| 2008 | Likely charged4,172 tested | Likely compliant1,787 tested |
| 2007 | Likely charged2,415 tested | Likely compliant853 tested |
| 2006 | Likely charged2,236 tested | Likely compliant1,015 tested |
| 2005 | Likely charged1,457 tested | Check Euro standard1,012 tested |
| 2004 | Likely charged429 tested | Check Euro standard597 tested |
How ULEZ rules apply to the V50
Cars that miss the standard pay £12.50 for each day they're driven in the zone. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
- Diesel (80% of V50s tested): most cars in our data are from years unlikely to comply.
- Petrol (20% of V50s tested): every year in our data is likely to comply.
Thinking of buying one? Check how V50s fare at the MOT too: see the Volvo V50 MOT failure rate.
Buying a used Volvo V50 for London: what the MOT data shows
The Volvo V50s in this data were first registered between 2004 and 2012. 2008 was the most common year, with 5,961 tests (18% of the total), and half were registered in 2009 or later.
V50s from likely-compliant years passed their MOT first time 54% of the time, at an average of 131,552 miles. Older ones likely to be charged passed 55% of the time with 126,356 miles on average.
On a budget, the oldest petrol V50s likely to comply are from 2006. 1,015 of them were tested; 2006 cars passed first time 55% of the time and averaged 139,221 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
Whichever year you choose, check the V50's weak spots. The most common MOT failures were lights and electrics: "not working" (8.8% of tests); suspension: "fractured or broken" (7.0%); body and structure: "constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt" (6.3%). The most frequent advisory was "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm", on 23.7% of tests.
Overall, 55% of V50s passed first time, well below the 71% average for all cars, and they had covered 127,563 miles on average, more than the 73,145-mile average.
ULEZ compliance for other models
Other Volvo models
About this data
Based on 33,780 first MOT tests of the Volvo V50 carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
ULEZ results are estimates from fuel type and year of first registration. Transport for London makes the final decision.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
What 33,780 MOT tests say about the Volvo V50 and London's ULEZ.
Is the Volvo V50 ULEZ compliant?
In our data about 15% of V50s on the road are likely compliant and 80% likely to be charged. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
Which petrol V50 years are ULEZ compliant?
Petrol V50s first registered from 2006 are likely compliant. Some earlier cars meet Euro 4 too, so check the exact vehicle.
Is a diesel V50 ULEZ compliant?
Only if it meets Euro 6, which generally means first registered from September 2015. Diesel V50s from 2012 or earlier are likely to be charged.
How can I check if a specific V50 is ULEZ compliant?
Enter its registration in our free ULEZ check, which uses the vehicle's DVLA record. Always confirm with TfL before relying on it.
Related guides
- ULEZ · 6 min readULEZ explained: which cars are compliant and what it costsSince August 2023 the ULEZ covers every London borough. Which cars comply, what the daily charge costs if yours doesn't, and what you can do about it.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readThe most common reasons cars fail their MOT (and how to avoid them)Lights alone failed 11.3% of cars at their 2023 MOT, more than any other area. The common failure areas, ranked, and the driveway checks that prevent them.Read the guide
- Buying a used car · 5 min readUsed car buying checklist: 25 checks before you payA step-by-step checklist for buying a used car, from the checks you can do at home to what to look at on the day and the paperwork you need.Read the guide
Is your V50 ULEZ compliant?
Enter the registration for a check based on that car's own DVLA record.