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Volvo V40 reliability

C · Average

MOT pass rates and common problems from 782,073 MOT tests of cars first registered 1998–2019.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
74.0%pass first time
−1.4 ptsvs typical car
Beats 41%of cars
782,073MOT tests

Verdict

The Volvo V40 passes its MOT first time on 74.0% of tests, 1.4 points lower than a typical car of the same age and mileage (75.4%). That puts it ahead of 41% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2013 V40 does best (beats 62% of cars) and the 2019 worst (beats 28%).

Of its engines, the 1.6 Petrol does best (beats 61%) and the 2.0 Petrol worst (beats 24%).

Better than average on lights & electrics, visibility, steering.

Watch these weak spots

Suspension1.4×as often as a typical car
Coil springs3.4×as often as a typical car
Tyre damage & cracking1.4×as often as a typical car
On or after 01/01/20147.6×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

40%50%60%70%80%90%3456789101112131415161718192086%80%75%72%67%66%45%45%47%
Volvo V40Typical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

1998
Beats 12%
1999
Beats 23%
2000
Beats 31%
2001
Beats 36%
2002
Beats 32%
2003
Beats 30%
2004
Beats 29%
2012
Beats 61%
2013
Beats 62%
2014
Beats 43%
2015
Beats 31%
2016
Beats 37%
2017
Beats 39%
2018
Beats 30%
2019
Beats 28%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel2012–2019280,92576.3%Beats 48%C
1.6 Diesel2012–2015229,68670.9%Beats 43%C
2.0 Petrol2015–2019125,81379.9%Beats 24%D
1.5 Petrol2015–201973,44183.1%Beats 33%D
1.6 Petrol2003–201521,10776.9%Beats 61%B
1.8 Petrol2000–200420,40947.1%Beats 29%D
1.9 Petrol1998–200416,34548.4%Beats 33%D
1.9 Diesel2001–200414,34744.2%Beats 30%D

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 2.6% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 8.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 6.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 6.8% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 8.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 7.6% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 5.5% of tests fail on brakes, against 5.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 6.8% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 8.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+1.9 ptsTyres: 7.6% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−1.2 ptsBrakes: 5.5% of tests fail on brakes, against 5.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes0.0 ptsSuspension: 8.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 6.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension−2.5 ptsExhaust: 2.6% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust−0.3 ptsSuspension: 8.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 6.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 5.5% of tests fail on brakes, against 5.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 7.6% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 6.8% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 8.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 2.6% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 6.8% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 8.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+1.9 ptsTyres: 7.6% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−1.2 ptsBrakes: 5.5% of tests fail on brakes, against 5.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes0.0 ptsSuspension: 8.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 6.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension−2.5 ptsExhaust: 2.6% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust−0.3 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Suspension: 8.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 6.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Suspension
8.8% vs 6.3%
Tyres
7.6% vs 6.4%
Lights & electrics
6.8% vs 8.7%
Brakes
5.5% vs 5.5%
Visibility
2.7% vs 4.3%
Emissions & leaks
2.6% vs 2.2%
Body & structure
2.2% vs 2.2%
Steering
0.8% vs 1.4%
Seat belts & airbags
0.7% vs 0.7%
Wheels
0.3% vs 0.3%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Coil springs 3.4× typical
    Look behind each wheel for a snapped coil (often the bottom one) and listen for clunks over bumps.
  • Tyre damage & cracking 1.4× typical
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Tyre tread depth
    Check every tyre, including the inner edge, has at least 3 mm of tread. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.
  • Brake pads
    Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.
  • Sidelights
    Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

50%60%70%80%90%100%0k10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k93%84%78%73%68%64%59%56%
Volvo V40Typical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Coil springs6.2%1.8%3.4×
Tyre damage & cracking4.9%3.4%1.4×
Headlight aim2.6%2.6%1.0×
Tyre tread depth2.6%2.5%1.0×
Brake pads2.3%2.1%1.1×
Sidelights2.0%1.7%1.1×
Windscreen wipers1.5%2.1%0.7×
Drive shaft (CV) joints1.3%0.9%1.4×
Headlight bulbs & units0.9%1.6%0.6×
Windscreen washers0.8%1.8%0.4×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened62.1
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements26.3
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements25.5
A tyre seriously damaged25.0
A tyre cords visible or damaged22.4
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm21.6
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning16.7
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen15.2
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2019 Volvo V403 engines83.5% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol16,74283.5%Beats 25%D
1.5 Petrol14,94384.6%Beats 27%D
2.0 Diesel8,81881.6%Beats 33%D
2018 Volvo V403 engines81.9% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol30,96081.9%Beats 24%D
1.5 Petrol25,01383.2%Beats 29%D
2.0 Diesel19,89380.1%Beats 38%D
2017 Volvo V403 engines80.7% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel42,04979.4%Beats 45%C
2.0 Petrol31,84981.0%Beats 31%D
1.5 Petrol18,66483.1%Beats 38%D
2016 Volvo V403 engines77.9% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel75,64377.5%Beats 44%C
2.0 Petrol32,16277.3%Beats 19%E
1.5 Petrol12,14481.6%Beats 42%C
2015 Volvo V405 engines74.1% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel66,81774.4%Beats 36%D
1.6 Diesel49,42972.8%Beats 26%D
2.0 Petrol14,10075.2%Beats 20%E
1.6 Petrol5,19078.2%Beats 44%C
1.5 Petrol2,67779.7%Beats 33%D
2014 Volvo V403 engines72.0% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Diesel101,53570.9%Beats 37%D
2.0 Diesel31,13873.6%Beats 57%C
1.6 Petrol9,41078.5%Beats 61%B
2013 Volvo V403 engines71.5% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Diesel64,15170.1%Beats 58%C
2.0 Diesel31,36573.2%Beats 70%B
1.6 Petrol4,39379.9%Beats 83%A
2012 Volvo V403 engines68.7% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Diesel14,57167.8%Beats 59%C
2.0 Diesel5,20270.5%Beats 65%B
1.6 Petrol1,03672.4%Beats 56%C
2004 Volvo V403 engines46.1% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.8 Petrol4,88347.4%Beats 29%D
1.9 Diesel4,19143.8%Beats 27%D
1.9 Petrol1,65747.8%Beats 32%D
2003 Volvo V404 engines45.8% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.8 Petrol5,52945.9%Beats 27%D
1.9 Diesel5,17644.0%Beats 29%D
1.9 Petrol3,64347.3%Beats 33%D
1.6 Petrol1,07849.3%Beats 35%D
2002 Volvo V403 engines46.4% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.8 Petrol4,42845.8%Beats 27%D
1.9 Diesel3,75243.7%Beats 29%D
1.9 Petrol3,07550.6%Beats 45%C
2001 Volvo V403 engines49.0% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.8 Petrol3,56648.8%Beats 34%D
1.9 Petrol3,30549.3%Beats 37%D
1.9 Diesel1,22848.3%Beats 42%C
2000 Volvo V402 engines48.9% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.9 Petrol2,13148.5%Beats 31%D
1.8 Petrol2,00349.2%Beats 31%D
1999 Volvo V401 engine47.6% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.9 Petrol1,30647.6%Beats 23%D
1998 Volvo V401 engine45.7% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.9 Petrol1,22845.7%Beats 12%E

FAQ

What is the Volvo V40 MOT pass rate?

74.0% of MOT tests on the Volvo V40 were passed first time, based on 782,073 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 1998–2019. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 75.4% of the time.

Is the Volvo V40 reliable?

On MOT results it rates C (average): it passes first time less often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 41% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Volvo V40 year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2013 V40 does best for its age and mileage: it beats 62% of cars on UK roads. The 2019 does worst: it beats 28%.

Which Volvo V40 engine is best?

Across all years, the 1.6 Petrol does best: it beats 61% of cars on UK roads. The 2.0 Petrol does worst: it beats 24%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Volvo V40?

The most common failure items are coil springs, tyre damage & cracking, headlight aim. Compared with similar cars, coil springs comes up 3.4× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.