VOLVO S40 MOT pass rate
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.
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 |
Related VOLVO models
- VOLVO XC60 — 85.1% pass rate
- VOLVO V40 — 77.8% pass rate
- VOLVO XC40 — 92.6% pass rate
- VOLVO XC90 — 80.2% pass rate
- VOLVO V70 — 70.6% pass rate
- VOLVO V60 — 82.6% 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".
- 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.