Volvo S40 MOT Failure Rate & Common Faults
We analysed 21,057 MOT tests on the Volvo S40 carried out in 2023. 43% failed at the first attempt, which is well above the 29% average across all cars in the same data. Put another way, about 6 in 10 S40s passed first time.
Results cover cars first registered from 1997 to 2012. Compared with other cars of the same age, 2006 models did best (59% passed, +3.3 points against the average for 17-year-old cars), while 1997 models fared worst (52%, −12.2 points). Tested cars had covered 107,413 miles on average, against 73,145 across all cars.
The most common reason for failure was lights and electrics, found on 19.3% of tests (noticeably above the 11.3% seen across all cars). The single most frequent fault was "not working", on 8.1% of tests.
- MOT tests analysed
- 21,057
- First-time pass rate
- 57%
- All cars: 71%
- Versus all cars
- −14.7 points
- Average mileage at test
- 107,413
- All cars: 73,145
Checking a particular S40?
See its own MOT history, advisories and mileage for free.
S40 MOT pass rate by year
Older cars fail more often, so each year is compared with all cars of the same age. Bars above the dashed line did better than average for their age.
| First registered | Tests | Pass rate | All cars, same age | Difference | Avg mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,339 | 62% | 66% | −3.3 points | 95,812 |
| 2011 | 1,556 | 58% | 63% | −5.5 points | 102,945 |
| 2010 | 2,181 | 57% | 60% | −3.6 points | 104,504 |
| 2009 | 2,667 | 57% | 59% | −2.5 points | 103,288 |
| 2008 | 3,367 | 57% | 57% | −0.8 points | 111,174 |
| 2007 | 2,161 | 58% | 57% | +0.7 points | 115,595 |
| 2006 | 2,028 | 59% | 56% | +3.3 points | 115,896 |
| 2005 | 1,772 | 57% | 56% | +0.6 points | 114,871 |
| 2004 | 1,440 | 52% | 56% | −4.4 points | 106,294 |
| 2003 | 815 | 49% | 57% | −7.2 points | 105,291 |
| 2002 | 562 | 54% | 58% | −3.6 points | 101,901 |
| 2001 | 390 | 57% | 59% | −2.0 points | 99,175 |
| 2000 | 282 | 59% | 61% | −1.7 points | 92,042 |
| 1999 | 183 | 53% | 62% | −9.5 points | 93,060 |
| 1998 | 167 | 57% | 64% | −6.4 points | 95,296 |
| 1997 | 88 | 52% | 64% | −12.2 points | 94,430 |
Why the Volvo S40 fails its MOT
The share of tests with at least one failure in each area, compared with all cars.
| Failure area | S40 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 19.3% | 11.3% |
| Suspension | 18.1% | 8.9% |
| Brakes | 10.8% | 6.8% |
| Tyres | 8.8% | 6.3% |
| Body and structure | 7.4% | 3.5% |
| Visibility | 5.7% | 4.8% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 4.9% | 3.1% |
| Steering | 4.1% | 1.8% |
| Seatbelts and airbags | 1.6% | 1.0% |
| Road Wheels | 0.7% | 0.4% |
Top 10 specific failure reasons
- 1not working8.1%
- 2fractured or broken6.1%
- 3constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt4.4%
- 4ball joint excessively worn3.7%
- 5pin or bush excessively worn3.6%
- 6inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps3.1%
- 7has ply or cords exposed3.0%
- 8tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.9%
- 9efficiency below requirements2.9%
- 10not working on dipped beam2.9%
Common S40 MOT advisories
Advisories don't cause a fail, but they show what's wearing out. On a used S40, check whether these have been dealt with. Read our guide to MOT advisories.
| Advisory | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 19.7% |
| pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 12.0% |
| in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 11.4% |
| less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 8.8% |
| has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 8.4% |
| leaking excessively from engine | Noise, emissions and leaks | 7.0% |
| corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened | Suspension | 6.3% |
| ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 5.0% |
| corroded and seriously weakened | Suspension | 4.6% |
| inscription illegible | Number plates and VIN | 4.5% |
Tips to help your S40 pass
Based on where S40s most often fail. For a full list, use our pre-MOT checklist.
Lights and electrics · 19.3% of S40 tests
Walk round every light
With a helper, check headlights on dipped and main beam, sidelights, brake lights, indicators, the rear fog light and the number plate lamp. Replace blown bulbs in pairs and make sure no lenses are cracked.
Brakes · 10.8% of S40 tests
Don't ignore brake warning signs
Grinding, squealing, a soft pedal or the car pulling to one side under braking are all worth investigating before the MOT. Check whether the last test noted worn pads or discs; if so, they may now be below the limit.
Compare with other models
Is the S40 ULEZ compliant? See the Volvo S40 ULEZ check, or view all Volvo models.
Other Volvo models
Models with similar pass rates
About this data
Based on 21,057 first MOT tests of the Volvo S40 carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
Answers from 21,057 first MOT tests of the Volvo S40.
What is the Volvo S40 MOT failure rate?
In our data, 43% of 21,057 first MOT attempts on the Volvo S40 ended in a fail, compared with 29% for all cars.
What is the most common reason a Volvo S40 fails its MOT?
The most common failure areas were lights and electrics (19.3% of tests), suspension (18.1% of tests), brakes (10.8% of tests).
Which S40 year has the best MOT pass rate?
Allowing for age, 2006 cars performed best: 59% passed first time, +3.3 points against the average for 17-year-old cars. The weakest was 1997, at 52% (−12.2 points).
How many miles had a typical Volvo S40 covered at its MOT?
The average was 107,413 miles, against 73,145 for all cars tested. 2012 cars averaged 95,812 miles and 1997 cars 94,430.
What is the most common MOT advisory on the Volvo S40?
"tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" was recorded on 19.7% of tests, in the tyres area. 8.8% of S40s failed in that area too.
How can I check a specific S40's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT check. Across the 21,057 S40s in our data, first-time pass rates ranged from 49% to 62% by year, so one car's own record says more than the average.
Related guides
- MOT · 6 min readPre-MOT checklist: 20 things to check yourself before the testTwenty quick checks, grouped by area, that you can do on your driveway in under half an hour. No tools beyond a coin and a helper needed for most.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readThe most common reasons cars fail their MOT (and how to avoid them)Lights alone failed 11.3% of cars at their 2023 MOT, more than any other area. The common failure areas, ranked, and the driveway checks that prevent them.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readDangerous, major and minor MOT defects explainedSince 2018, every fault found at an MOT goes into one of four categories. Knowing the difference tells you whether you can drive home, and what to fix first.Read the guide
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