Volvo XC40 Inscription T5 Recharge MOT pass rate and common problems
93.6% of 1,023 Volvo XC40 Inscription T5 Recharge MOT tests pass.
The XC40 Inscription T5 Recharge passes its MOT 93.6% of the time — well above the average across all Volvo models, which sits at 80.1%.
The Volvo XC40 Inscription T5 Recharge passes its MOT 93.6% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Volvo XC40 Inscription T5 Recharge?
This is the average across every Volvo XC40 Inscription T5 Recharge 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
Unusually, pass rate is higher for older examples: 90.9% at 0–3 years compared with 95.4% at 3–6 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 90.9% | 394 | 31,088 miles |
| 3–6 years | 95.4% | 629 | 38,940 miles |
| 6–10 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 15+ years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Volvo XC40 Inscription T5 Recharge
The most common reason the Volvo XC40 Inscription T5 Recharge fails its MOT is tyres — present in 72.2% of failed tests, most often logged as "Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 72.2% | Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords |
| Visibility | 16.7% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 8.3% | Not working |
| Brakes | 5.6% | Excessively fluctuating |
| Identification of the vehicle | 5.6% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Suspension | 4.2% | Rough when rotated |
| Body, chassis, structure | 2.8% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 2.8% | Buckle not functioning as intended |
Buying a used Volvo XC40 Inscription T5 Recharge: what to check
These checks follow the Volvo XC40 Inscription T5 Recharge’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.
1. Tyres
Recorded in 72.2% of failed Volvo XC40 Inscription T5 Recharge 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. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 16.7% of failed Volvo XC40 Inscription T5 Recharge MOTs.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
3. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 8.3% of failed Volvo XC40 Inscription T5 Recharge 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.
4. Brakes
Recorded in 5.6% of failed Volvo XC40 Inscription T5 Recharge 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.
5. Number plates and VIN
Recorded in 5.6% of failed Volvo XC40 Inscription T5 Recharge MOTs.
Match the registration plates and the VIN (usually at the base of the windscreen and on a door pillar) to the V5C.
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 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 400 Series — 65.6% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Volvo XC40 Inscription T5 Recharge?
- 93.6% of Volvo XC40 Inscription T5 Recharge MOT tests pass, based on 1,023 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Volvo XC40 Inscription T5 Recharge?
- The most common reason the Volvo XC40 Inscription T5 Recharge fails its MOT is tyres — present in 72.2% of failed tests, most often logged as "Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords".
- What are the common problems with the Volvo XC40 Inscription T5 Recharge?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Volvo XC40 Inscription T5 Recharge are tyres; windscreen and wipers; lights and electrics.
- What should I check when buying a used Volvo XC40 Inscription T5 Recharge?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: tyres; windscreen and wipers; lights and electrics; brakes; number plates and vin. 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 XC40 Inscription T5 Recharge'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.