Is the Volvo S40 ULEZ Compliant?
Based on 21,057 MOT tests, around 32% of Volvo S40s still on the road are likely to meet London's ULEZ standards, and about 51% are likely to be charged. For the remaining 17%, it depends on the exact Euro standard or month of registration.
The fuel mix matters: tested cars were 53% petrol, 47% diesel. Petrol S40s are generally compliant from 2006, while petrol cars from 2000 or earlier are likely to be charged. Diesel S40s in the data are mostly from years that are unlikely to comply.
- Likely compliant
- 32%
- Likely charged
- 51%
- Depends on the car
- 17%
- MOT tests analysed
- 21,057
Check a specific S40
Year and fuel type are a guide. Enter the registration to check that car's own record.
S40 ULEZ compliance by year and fuel
Estimated from the year of first registration. Numbers show how many S40s of each type were MOT tested, as a guide to how common they are.
| First registered | Petrol | Diesel |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Likely compliant317 tested | Likely charged1,020 tested |
| 2011 | Likely compliant299 tested | Likely charged1,257 tested |
| 2010 | Likely compliant421 tested | Likely charged1,760 tested |
| 2009 | Likely compliant1,056 tested | Likely charged1,611 tested |
| 2008 | Likely compliant2,161 tested | Likely charged1,205 tested |
| 2007 | Likely compliant1,245 tested | Likely charged915 tested |
| 2006 | Likely compliant1,222 tested | Likely charged806 tested |
| 2005 | Check Euro standard1,104 tested | Likely charged667 tested |
| 2004 | Check Euro standard1,077 tested | Likely charged361 tested |
| 2003 | Check Euro standard640 tested | Likely charged175 tested |
| 2002 | Check Euro standard470 tested | Likely charged91 tested |
| 2001 | Check Euro standard362 tested | Likely charged27 tested |
| 2000 | Likely charged279 tested | Likely charged3 tested |
| 1999 | Likely charged180 tested | Likely charged3 tested |
| 1998 | Likely charged166 tested | Likely charged1 tested |
| 1997 | Likely charged86 tested | Likely charged2 tested |
How ULEZ rules apply to the S40
Cars that miss the standard pay £12.50 for each day they're driven in the zone. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
- Petrol (53% of S40s tested): likely compliant from 2006; 2000 and earlier are likely to be charged.
- Diesel (47% of S40s tested): most cars in our data are from years unlikely to comply.
Thinking of buying one? Check how S40s fare at the MOT too: see the Volvo S40 MOT failure rate.
Buying a used Volvo S40 for London: what the MOT data shows
The Volvo S40s in this data were first registered between 1997 and 2012. 2008 was the most common year, with 3,367 tests (16% of the total), and half were registered in 2008 or later.
S40s from likely-compliant years passed their MOT first time 58% of the time, at an average of 110,101 miles. Older ones likely to be charged passed 57% of the time with 105,810 miles on average.
On a budget, the oldest petrol S40s likely to comply are from 2006. 1,222 of them were tested; 2006 cars passed first time 59% of the time and averaged 115,896 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
Whichever year you choose, check the S40's weak spots. The most common MOT failures were lights and electrics: "not working" (8.1% of tests); suspension: "fractured or broken" (6.1%); body and structure: "constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt" (4.4%). The most frequent advisory was "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm", on 19.7% of tests.
Overall, 57% of S40s passed first time, well below the 71% average for all cars, and they had covered 107,413 miles on average, more than the 73,145-mile average.
ULEZ compliance for other models
Other Volvo models
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.
ULEZ results are estimates from fuel type and year of first registration. Transport for London makes the final decision.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
What 21,057 MOT tests say about the Volvo S40 and London's ULEZ.
Is the Volvo S40 ULEZ compliant?
In our data about 32% of S40s on the road are likely compliant and 51% likely to be charged. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
Which petrol S40 years are ULEZ compliant?
Petrol S40s first registered from 2006 are likely compliant. Some earlier cars meet Euro 4 too, so check the exact vehicle.
Is a diesel S40 ULEZ compliant?
Only if it meets Euro 6, which generally means first registered from September 2015. Diesel S40s from 2012 or earlier are likely to be charged.
How can I check if a specific S40 is ULEZ compliant?
Enter its registration in our free ULEZ check, which uses the vehicle's DVLA record. Always confirm with TfL before relying on it.
Related guides
- ULEZ · 6 min readULEZ explained: which cars are compliant and what it costsSince August 2023 the ULEZ covers every London borough. Which cars comply, what the daily charge costs if yours doesn't, and what you can do about it.Read the guide
- 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
- Buying a used car · 5 min readUsed car buying checklist: 25 checks before you payA step-by-step checklist for buying a used car, from the checks you can do at home to what to look at on the day and the paperwork you need.Read the guide
Is your S40 ULEZ compliant?
Enter the registration for a check based on that car's own DVLA record.