Volvo 400 Series MOT pass rate
65.6% of 1,004 Volvo 400 Series MOT tests pass.
The 400 Series passes 65.6% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the average across all Volvo models (80.1%).
The Volvo 400 Series passes 65.6% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Volvo 400 Series?
This is the average across every Volvo 400 Series in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
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Pass rate by vehicle age
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 6–10 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | too few tests (1) | 1 | no reading |
| 15+ years | 65.6% | 1,003 | 78,478 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Volvo 400 Series
The most common reason the Volvo 400 Series fails its MOT is brakes — present in 82.4% of failed tests, most often logged as "Efficiency below requirements".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 82.4% | Efficiency below requirements |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 72.8% | Not working |
| Suspension | 53.6% | Prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 37.6% | Carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits |
| Body, chassis, structure | 31.3% | Has a major leak of exhaust gases |
| Visibility | 27.2% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Tyres | 11.7% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 10.9% | Prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced |
| Steering | 3.1% | Ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Speedometer and speed limiter | 1.3% | Clearly inoperative |
Related Volvo models
- Volvo XC90 Rdesgn Pro T8 Rchrg — 91.2% pass rate
- Volvo XC90 Inscrp — 89.3% pass rate
- Volvo XC40 Inscrpt — 94.0% pass rate
- Volvo XC60 Inscrp — 88.8% pass rate
- Volvo S70 — 72.8% pass rate
- Volvo XC40 Inscription T5 Recharge — 93.6% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Volvo 400 Series?
- 65.6% of Volvo 400 Series MOT tests pass, based on 1,004 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Volvo 400 Series?
- The most common reason the Volvo 400 Series fails its MOT is brakes — present in 82.4% of failed tests, most often logged as "Efficiency below requirements".
- Does this show the Volvo 400 Series's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Volvo service history guide for how to check and keep one.