MOT performance
Volvo S40 MOT pass rate and common failures
Across 39,163 MOT tests of the Volvo S40 in 2023–2024, 56.8% passed first time. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, Volvo S40s failed about as often as comparable cars. The most common failure item was “position lamp: not working”, on 5.99% of tests.
39,163 MOT tests on 20,993 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
Check a specific car's MOT history and running costsAt a glance
| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 56.8% | ±0.5 pts (95%), n = 39,163 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 1.03× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00 |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 12.9% | n = 39,163 |
| Average age at test | 15.6 years | n = 39,163 |
| Median mileage at test | 105,442 miles | n = 39,163 |
| Vehicles tested | 20,993 | 2023–2024 |
Where Volvo S40s fail
The share of MOT tests that failed on each area, and how that compares with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel. Areas where the difference is large and clear link to their own page.
| Area | Tests failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 19.2% | -3% |
| Suspension | 18.2% | +10% |
| Brakes | 11.0% | -6% |
| Tyres | 8.6% | +16% |
| Body, chassis and structure | 7.6% | +2% |
| Driver's view of the road | 5.8% | -14% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 5.1% | -19% |
| Steering | 4.3% | +20% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 1.6% | -26% |
| Road wheels | 0.7% | +25% |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.5% | -19% |
| Speedometer and driving controls | 0.0% | -38% |
Volvo S40 MOT pass rate by fuel: petrol vs diesel
Raw pass rates partly reflect how old each fuel's cars are; the adjusted column compares each with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel.
| Fuel | Tests | Average age | First-time pass | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 20,726 | 16.9 yrs | 57.6% | -1% |
| Diesel | 18,437 | 14.3 yrs | 56.0% | +7% |
Most common failure items
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Position lamp: not working | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 5.99% |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | Suspension | 5.63% |
| Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | Body, chassis and structure | 4.46% |
| Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 3.52% |
| Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 2.99% |
| Condition: has ply or cords exposed | Tyres | 2.96% |
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 2.82% |
| Headlamp: not working on dipped beam | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 2.76% |
| Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements | Brakes | 2.76% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 2.50% |
Most common advisories
Advisories are items the tester expects to need attention soon; they don't fail the test.
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 20.17% |
| Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 11.53% |
| Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 11.19% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 8.95% |
| Condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 8.74% |
Pass rate by age
| Age at test (years) | Tests | First-time pass rate | Failures vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9-10 | 655 | 63.5% | +11% |
| 11-12 | 5,573 | 59.2% | +10% |
| 13-15 | 14,554 | 57.2% | +1% |
| 16+ | 18,376 | 55.5% | +2% |
Pass rate by registration year
| Registered | Tests | First-time pass rate | Failures vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 2,623 | 62.4% | 1.05× |
| 2011 | 3,021 | 57.6% | 1.11× |
| 2010 | 4,164 | 57.1% | 1.07× |
| 2009 | 5,064 | 57.7% | 1.02× |
| 2008 | 6,261 | 56.6% | 0.98× |
| 2007 | 3,989 | 57.8% | 0.95× |
| 2006 | 3,714 | 58.7% | 0.93× |
| 2005 | 3,207 | 55.9% | 0.99× |
| 2004 | 2,584 | 52.2% | 1.09× |
| 2003 | 1,470 | 49.5% | 1.17× |
| 2002 | 1,005 | 51.6% | 1.14× |
| 2001 | 699 | 55.2% | 1.09× |
| 2000 | 491 | 57.0% | 1.10× |
| 1999 | 316 | 52.2% | 1.32× |
Years with fewer tests are shown for completeness; only years with enough tests have their own page.
Check a specific Volvo S40
Enter a UK registration to see that car's own MOT history and what it is likely to cost to own. Your first check is free and shows the vehicle summary and its headline ownership cost. The category-by-category breakdown is part of a paid check.
UK number plate or 17-character VIN
About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.