Volvo 480 vs Volvo S40: reliability comparison
MOT pass rates, common faults and mileage compared from real UK MOT data.
Volvo 480
62%
MOT pass rate · 4 vehicles
Volvo S40
70%
MOT pass rate · 104,637 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Volvo 480 (62%) and Volvo S40 (70%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.
Head to head
| Measure | Volvo 480 | Volvo S40 |
|---|---|---|
| MOT pass rate | 62% | 70% ✓ |
| MOT failure rate | 38% | 30% ✓ |
| Faults & advisories per test | 1.8 ✓ | 2.1 |
| Dangerous-fault share | 3% | 1% ✓ |
| Average mileage | 60,624 mi | 123,409 mi |
| Sample size (vehicles) | 4 | 104,637 |
Most common faults
Volvo 480
- Parking brake lever has excessive movement indicating incorrect adjustment (1.1.6 (c))
- Battery insecure and likely to cause a short circuit (4.13 (a) (ii))
- Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))
- Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))
- Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases center (6.1.2 (a))
- Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))
Volvo S40
- Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
- Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
- Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
- Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
- Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)
- Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)
Reliability FAQ
On MOT pass rate the Volvo 480 (62%) and Volvo S40 (70%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.
Full Volvo 480 report Full Volvo S40 report Most reliable cars
Pass rates are computed over completed (pass/fail) MOT tests. Reliability also depends on age, mileage and upkeep — see each model's page for the full picture.