Volvo S40 MOT pass rate and common problems
64.3% of 26,150 Volvo S40 MOT tests pass.
The S40 passes 64.3% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the average across all Volvo models (80.1%).
The Volvo S40 passes 64.3% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Volvo S40?
This is the average across every Volvo S40 in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Volvo’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate eases gradually with age, from 66.1% at 10–15 years to 63.4% at 15+ years.
| 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 | too few tests (3) | 3 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | 66.1% | 8,746 | 106,428 miles |
| 15+ years | 63.4% | 17,401 | 112,772 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Volvo S40
The most common reason the Volvo S40 fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 57.3% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 57.3% | Not working |
| Suspension | 54.2% | Pin or bush excessively worn |
| Brakes | 36.5% | Efficiency below requirements |
| Tyres | 21.8% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Body, chassis, structure | 18.9% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 13.6% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Visibility | 12.9% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Steering | 10.8% | Gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 3.2% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Road Wheels | 1.7% | Fixing missing |
Buying a used Volvo S40: what to check
These checks follow the Volvo S40’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Volvo S40 comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 66.1% to 63.4%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 0–30,000 mi to 30,000–60,000 mi: 84.7% down to 75.5%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 57.3% of failed Volvo S40 MOTs.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
2. Suspension
Recorded in 54.2% of failed Volvo S40 MOTs.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
3. Brakes
Recorded in 36.5% of failed Volvo S40 MOTs.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
4. Tyres
Recorded in 21.8% of failed Volvo S40 MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
5. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 18.9% of failed Volvo S40 MOTs.
Look underneath and along the sills for corrosion, especially near suspension and seat-belt mountings. Uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint can indicate accident repair.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Volvo service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Volvo models
- Volvo V50 — 62.3% pass rate
- Volvo C30 — 67.4% pass rate
- Volvo S60 — 78.0% pass rate
- Volvo XC70 — 75.8% pass rate
- Volvo V90 — 87.0% pass rate
- Volvo C70 — 68.0% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Volvo S40?
- 64.3% of Volvo S40 MOT tests pass, based on 26,150 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Volvo S40?
- The most common reason the Volvo S40 fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 57.3% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Volvo S40?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Volvo S40 are lights and electrics; suspension; brakes.
- What should I check when buying a used Volvo S40?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; suspension; brakes; tyres; bodywork and corrosion. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Volvo S40'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.