Volvo XC40 R-Design T5 Recharge MOT pass rate and common problems
94.6% of 2,096 Volvo XC40 R-Design T5 Recharge MOT tests pass.
The XC40 R-Design T5 Recharge passes its MOT 94.6% of the time — well above the average across all Volvo models, which sits at 80.1%.
The Volvo XC40 R-Design T5 Recharge passes its MOT 94.6% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Volvo XC40 R-Design T5 Recharge?
This is the average across every Volvo XC40 R-Design 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
Pass rate stays relatively stable with age: 94.3% at 0–3 years versus 94.7% at 3–6 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 94.3% | 810 | 35,026 miles |
| 3–6 years | 94.7% | 1,286 | 46,300 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 R-Design T5 Recharge
The most common reason the Volvo XC40 R-Design T5 Recharge fails its MOT is tyres — present in 57.7% 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 | 57.7% | Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 19.7% | Too high |
| Visibility | 16.8% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Body, chassis, structure | 7.3% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Suspension | 5.1% | Fractured |
| Brakes | 4.4% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Identification of the vehicle | 2.9% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 0.7% | Buckle not functioning as intended |
Buying a used Volvo XC40 R-Design T5 Recharge: what to check
These checks follow the Volvo XC40 R-Design 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.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 60,000–90,000 mi to 90,000–120,000 mi: 92.7% down to 80.7%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Tyres
Recorded in 57.7% of failed Volvo XC40 R-Design 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. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 19.7% of failed Volvo XC40 R-Design 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.
3. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 16.8% of failed Volvo XC40 R-Design 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.
4. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 7.3% of failed Volvo XC40 R-Design T5 Recharge 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.
5. Suspension
Recorded in 5.1% of failed Volvo XC40 R-Design T5 Recharge 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.
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 Rdesign — 91.9% pass rate
- Volvo XC60 Inscrpt — 91.9% pass rate
- Volvo 700 Series — 73.2% pass rate
- Volvo XC90 Inscrpt — 91.3% pass rate
- Volvo XC40 Rdesign — 94.9% pass rate
- Volvo XC60 R-Design T6 Rcharg — 94.0% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Volvo XC40 R-Design T5 Recharge?
- 94.6% of Volvo XC40 R-Design T5 Recharge MOT tests pass, based on 2,096 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Volvo XC40 R-Design T5 Recharge?
- The most common reason the Volvo XC40 R-Design T5 Recharge fails its MOT is tyres — present in 57.7% 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 R-Design T5 Recharge?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Volvo XC40 R-Design T5 Recharge are tyres; lights and electrics; windscreen and wipers.
- What should I check when buying a used Volvo XC40 R-Design T5 Recharge?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: tyres; lights and electrics; windscreen and wipers; bodywork and corrosion; suspension. 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 R-Design 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.