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MOT reliability

Volvo S40

104,637 vehicles · 1,392,592 completed MOT tests analysed
70%
MOT pass rate

Based on 104,637 Volvo S40 vehicles and 1,392,592 completed MOT tests, the Volvo S40 has an overall 70% pass rate, with an average recorded mileage of 123,409 miles.

104,637
Vehicles
1,392,592
MOT tests
8,034
Avg miles / year
2.1
Faults per test
1%
Dangerous-fault share

Volvo S40 problem areas

Where faults occur most across all Volvo S40 MOT tests:

  • Other89%
  • Tyres, wheels & suspension12%
  • Brakes8%
  • Lamps & electrical4%
  • Emissions & nuisance3%
  • Body & structure2%
  • Steering1%
  • Seatbelts & equipment1%

Volvo S40 pass rate by age

How the Volvo S40's MOT pass rate changes as it ages (buckets with 20+ tests).

Age (years)TestsPass rate
18382%
21,52782%
358,14983%
465,34082%
576,65979%
691,08376%
7108,32673%
8122,91071%
9132,61069%
10130,60567%
11121,00366%
12107,91365%
1392,78265%
1476,36765%
1559,80865%
1645,67766%
1733,34966%
1823,44766%
1916,09166%
2010,89965%

Fuel types: Petrol (74,840), Diesel (29,563), LPG (190), Other (30), Gas Bi-Fuel (10), Electric (4)

Most common Volvo S40 MOT faults

These are the faults and advisories recorded most often across Volvo S40 MOT tests:

  1. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1) (59,030 times)
  2. Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1) (54,493 times)
  3. Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1) (41,421 times)
  4. Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1) (39,433 times)
  5. Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g) (32,896 times)
  6. Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7) (28,500 times)
  7. Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g) (26,903 times)
  8. Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b) (23,309 times)
  9. Offside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d) (22,246 times)
  10. Offside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b) (21,316 times)
  11. Oil leak (20,808 times)
  12. Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c) (20,032 times)
  13. Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c) (19,676 times)
  14. Nearside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d) (19,528 times)
  15. Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1) (18,303 times)

Volvo S40 pass rate by registration year

YearVehiclesTestsPass rateAvg mileage
2021 1 8 62% 87,411
2017 1 6 67% 144,152
2015 2 26 65% 115,177
2014 1 12 100% 67,566
2013 48 577 76% 111,758
2012 1,608 21,458 76% 111,432
2011 2,069 28,711 75% 115,012
2010 3,298 46,637 75% 114,491
2009 4,034 62,383 75% 114,613
2008 6,062 95,812 74% 121,089
2007 4,404 73,017 74% 129,452
2006 5,251 86,004 75% 127,043
2005 6,798 109,647 74% 130,476
2004 6,608 113,298 71% 123,569
2003 6,106 104,447 69% 122,037
2002 6,734 105,411 69% 128,140
2001 7,829 106,826 68% 126,601
2000 9,248 110,729 67% 120,739
1999 11,431 121,276 66% 123,085
1998 11,185 106,424 65% 122,388
1997 9,153 78,466 63% 124,251
1996 2,722 21,142 62% 125,740
1992 1 9 56% 166,810
1991 1 1 0% —
1981 2 2 100% 108,878
1973 1 1 100% 185,426
1971 18 145 70% 111,803
1919 1 5 40% 65,675

Volvo S40 reliability FAQ

Across 104,637 Volvo S40 vehicles in our MOT data, 70% pass the MOT (a 30% failure rate), with about 2.1 faults or advisories recorded per test.

The most frequently recorded Volvo S40 MOT issues are: 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).

The typical Volvo S40 in our data has covered around 123,409 miles.

Compare the Volvo S40

See how the Volvo S40 stacks up against other Volvo models on MOT reliability:

S40 vs Unknown S40 vs V40 S40 vs V70 S40 vs Xc60

Check a specific Volvo S40

Enter a registration to see that exact vehicle's full MOT history, advisories and recurring faults.

See all Volvo models · Learn about common MOT failures · what an MOT checks