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Volvo XC40 reliability

A · Excellent

MOT pass rates and common problems from 314,153 MOT tests of cars first registered 2018–2023.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
90.0%pass first time
+4.1 ptsvs typical car
Beats 90%of cars
314,153MOT tests

Verdict

The Volvo XC40 passes its MOT first time on 90.0% of tests, 4.1 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (85.9%). That puts it ahead of 90% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2022 XC40 does best (beats 95% of cars) and the 2019 worst (beats 85%).

Of its engines, the 2.0 Hybrid does best (beats 98%) and the 1.5 Petrol worst (beats 81%).

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

Watch these weak spots

Brakes1.4×as often as a typical car
Brake pads1.9×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.

75%80%85%90%95%34567891%91%90%88%87%88%
Volvo XC40Typical 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.

2018
Beats 93%
2019
Beats 85%
2020
Beats 89%
2021
Beats 91%
2022
Beats 95%
2023
Beats 97%

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
1.5 Petrol2018–202296,92889.5%Beats 81%A
2.0 Petrol2018–202059,05689.6%Beats 87%A
2.0 Diesel2018–202055,34188.1%Beats 90%A
2.0 Hybrid2020–202349,46993.0%Beats 98%A
1.5 Hybrid2020–202341,95191.4%Beats 97%A
Electric2021–202311,40888.2%Beats 64%B

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: 0.4% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 0.8% 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: 0.5% of tests fail on suspension, against 1.3% 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: 1.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 3.2% 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: 4.2% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.2% 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: 3.2% of tests fail on brakes, against 2.3% 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: 1.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 3.2% 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+2.0 ptsTyres: 4.2% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.2% 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+1.0 ptsBrakes: 3.2% of tests fail on brakes, against 2.3% 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.Brakes−0.8 ptsSuspension: 0.5% of tests fail on suspension, against 1.3% 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+0.8 ptsExhaust: 0.4% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 0.8% 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+0.4 ptsSuspension: 0.5% of tests fail on suspension, against 1.3% 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: 3.2% of tests fail on brakes, against 2.3% 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: 4.2% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.2% 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: 1.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 3.2% 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: 0.4% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 0.8% 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: 1.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 3.2% 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+2.0 ptsTyres: 4.2% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.2% 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+1.0 ptsBrakes: 3.2% of tests fail on brakes, against 2.3% 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.Brakes−0.8 ptsSuspension: 0.5% of tests fail on suspension, against 1.3% 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+0.8 ptsExhaust: 0.4% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 0.8% 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+0.4 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Brakes: 3.2% of tests fail on brakes, against 2.3% 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.

Every MOT area

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

Tyres
4.2% vs 5.2%
Brakes
3.2% vs 2.3%
Lights & electrics
1.2% vs 3.2%
Visibility
1.1% vs 3.1%
Suspension
0.5% vs 1.3%
Emissions & leaks
0.4% vs 0.8%
Body & structure
0.3% vs 0.4%
Seat belts & airbags
0.2% vs 0.3%
Wheels
0.1% vs 0.2%
Steering
0.0% vs 0.3%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Brake pads 1.9× typical
    Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.
  • Tyre damage & cracking
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • 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.
  • Windscreen wipers
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Engine warning light
    The engine warning light should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts. If it stays on, get the fault codes read before you buy.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

70%80%90%100%0k10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k96%91%88%86%84%85%
Volvo XC40Typical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Tyre damage & cracking3.0%3.5%0.8×
Brake pads2.8%1.5%1.9×
Tyre tread depth1.1%1.6%0.7×
Windscreen wipers0.8%2.0%0.4×
Headlight aim0.7%1.5%0.5×
Engine warning light0.3%0.5%0.6×
Linkage0.3%0.0%14.7×
Brake discs0.3%0.4%0.7×
Windscreen washers0.2%1.1%0.2×
Drive shaft (CV) joints0.2%0.2%1.3×

Specific defects found

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

Defectper 1,000
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm27.9
A tyre seriously damaged22.2
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements11.5
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen7.8
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements7.4
A tyre cords visible or damaged7.2
Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction3.3
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen2.5
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.

2023 Volvo XC403 engines92.4% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Hybrid5,72294.2%Beats 99%A
Electric2,54888.4%Beats 72%B
1.5 Hybrid1,85492.4%Beats 98%A
2022 Volvo XC404 engines92.0% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Hybrid9,95192.1%Beats 98%A
1.5 Petrol7,77690.8%Beats 82%A
2.0 Hybrid7,71794.1%Beats 99%A
Electric4,04990.0%Beats 81%A
2021 Volvo XC404 engines90.8% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol29,49789.9%Beats 80%A
2.0 Hybrid18,83692.7%Beats 98%A
1.5 Hybrid17,31791.5%Beats 97%A
Electric4,81186.5%Beats 44%C
2020 Volvo XC405 engines90.2% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol38,14089.5%Beats 81%A
2.0 Hybrid17,19492.2%Beats 97%A
2.0 Petrol13,70089.9%Beats 83%A
1.5 Hybrid12,82990.5%Beats 96%A
2.0 Diesel10,74388.8%Beats 88%A
2019 Volvo XC403 engines88.5% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol30,48889.5%Beats 86%A
2.0 Diesel26,39887.4%Beats 87%A
1.5 Petrol16,16388.6%Beats 82%A
2018 Volvo XC403 engines88.9% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel18,20088.7%Beats 95%A
2.0 Petrol14,86889.6%Beats 92%A
1.5 Petrol5,35287.5%Beats 81%A

FAQ

What is the Volvo XC40 MOT pass rate?

90.0% of MOT tests on the Volvo XC40 were passed first time, based on 314,153 tests between 2020 and 2026 of cars first registered 2018–2023. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 85.9% of the time.

Is the Volvo XC40 reliable?

On MOT results it rates A (excellent): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 90% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Volvo XC40 year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2022 XC40 does best for its age and mileage: it beats 95% of cars on UK roads. The 2019 does worst: it beats 85%.

Which Volvo XC40 engine is best?

Across all years, the 2.0 Hybrid does best: it beats 98% of cars on UK roads. The 1.5 Petrol does worst: it beats 81%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Volvo XC40?

The most common failure items are tyre damage & cracking, brake pads, tyre tread depth. Compared with similar cars, brake pads comes up 1.9× 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.