Volvo V40 MOT pass rate and common problems
77.8% of 144,462 Volvo V40 MOT tests pass.
At 77.8%, the V40 passes slightly less often than the average across all Volvo models (80.1%).
At 77.8%, the Volvo V40 passes slightly less often than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Volvo V40?
This is the average across every Volvo V40 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 drops sharply with age: the Volvo V40 tested at 3–6 years pass 84.9% of the time, compared with just 58.0% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | too few tests (8) | 8 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | 84.9% | 24,606 | 40,849 miles |
| 6–10 years | 78.3% | 84,443 | 69,613 miles |
| 10–15 years | 74.3% | 29,867 | 97,240 miles |
| 15+ years | 58.0% | 5,538 | 119,988 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Volvo V40
The most common reason the Volvo V40 fails its MOT is tyres — present in 33.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 33.6% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Suspension | 31.6% | Fractured or broken |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 28.8% | Not working |
| Brakes | 26.4% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Visibility | 9.5% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 9.2% | Emissions exceed manufacturer's specified limit |
| Body, chassis, structure | 8.8% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Steering | 2.1% | Gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 1.7% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Road Wheels | 1.1% | Fixing missing |
Buying a used Volvo V40: what to check
These checks follow the Volvo V40’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 V40 comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 74.3% to 58.0%. 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: 87.4% down to 82.1%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Tyres
Recorded in 33.6% of failed Volvo V40 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.
2. Suspension
Recorded in 31.6% of failed Volvo V40 MOTs. 28.1% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension, against 4.6% at 3–6 years.
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. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 28.8% of failed Volvo V40 MOTs. 35.5% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 1.9% at 3–6 years.
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.
4. Brakes
Recorded in 26.4% of failed Volvo V40 MOTs. 26.7% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes, against 3.3% at 3–6 years.
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.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 9.5% of failed Volvo V40 MOTs. 8.6% of tests at 15+ years failed on windscreen and wipers, against 1.7% at 3–6 years.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
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 XC60 — 85.1% 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
- Volvo V50 — 62.3% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Volvo V40?
- 77.8% of Volvo V40 MOT tests pass, based on 144,462 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Volvo V40?
- The most common reason the Volvo V40 fails its MOT is tyres — present in 33.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm".
- What are the common problems with the Volvo V40?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Volvo V40 are tyres; suspension; lights and electrics.
- What should I check when buying a used Volvo V40?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: tyres; suspension; lights and electrics; brakes; windscreen and wipers. 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 V40'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.