Volvo XC40 Rdesign MOT pass rate and common problems
94.9% of 1,725 Volvo XC40 Rdesign MOT tests pass.
The XC40 Rdesign passes its MOT 94.9% of the time — well above the average across all Volvo models, which sits at 80.1%.
The Volvo XC40 Rdesign passes its MOT 94.9% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Volvo XC40 Rdesign?
This is the average across every Volvo XC40 Rdesign 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 96.0% at 0–3 years to 93.7% at 3–6 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 96.0% | 915 | 23,845 miles |
| 3–6 years | 93.7% | 810 | 29,437 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 Rdesign
The most common reason the Volvo XC40 Rdesign fails its MOT is tyres — present in 79.8% 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 | 79.8% | Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 25.4% | Too high |
| Brakes | 18.4% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Visibility | 6.1% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Body, chassis, structure | 1.8% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.8% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Suspension | 1.8% | Fractured |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.9% | Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 0.9% | Buckle not functioning as intended |
Buying a used Volvo XC40 Rdesign: what to check
These checks follow the Volvo XC40 Rdesign’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 XC40 Rdesign comes between 0–3 years and 3–6 years old, from 96.0% to 93.7%. 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: 96.3% down to 92.0%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Tyres
Recorded in 79.8% of failed Volvo XC40 Rdesign 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 25.4% of failed Volvo XC40 Rdesign MOTs. 3.0% of tests at 3–6 years failed on lights and electrics, against 0.5% at 0–3 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.
3. Brakes
Recorded in 18.4% of failed Volvo XC40 Rdesign MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 2.3% of tests at 3–6 years failed on brakes.
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. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 6.1% of failed Volvo XC40 Rdesign 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.
5. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 1.8% of failed Volvo XC40 Rdesign 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 700 Series — 73.2% pass rate
- Volvo XC40 R-Design T5 Recharge — 94.6% pass rate
- Volvo XC90 Inscrpt — 91.3% pass rate
- Volvo XC60 R-Design T6 Rcharg — 94.0% pass rate
- Volvo XC60 Inscrpt Exp — 95.1% pass rate
- Volvo XC90 Rdesign — 89.4% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Volvo XC40 Rdesign?
- 94.9% of Volvo XC40 Rdesign MOT tests pass, based on 1,725 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Volvo XC40 Rdesign?
- The most common reason the Volvo XC40 Rdesign fails its MOT is tyres — present in 79.8% 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 Rdesign?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Volvo XC40 Rdesign are tyres; lights and electrics; brakes.
- What should I check when buying a used Volvo XC40 Rdesign?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: tyres; lights and electrics; brakes; windscreen and wipers; 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 XC40 Rdesign'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.