Volvo V40: what fails at MOT
120,000 MOT tests on the Volvo V40 in 2024, counted. 24.9% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
24.9% of Volvo V40 tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 22.4%, so the V40 is about average for its age.
It fails most often on suspension (5.9% of tests), tyres (5.7% of tests) and lights and electrics (4.1% of tests). It fails on suspension and tyres more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 9,744 | 16.2% | 13.4% | 35,400 25,600 to 46,900 |
| 2018 | 15,456 | 19.1% | 15.6% | 44,200 32,400 to 58,600 |
| 2017 | 17,488 | 20.9% | 18.2% | 54,700 40,400 to 71,600 |
| 2016 | 20,856 | 24.3% | 21.3% | 64,600 47,900 to 83,200 |
| 2015 | 20,782 | 28.2% | 24.4% | 75,900 57,500 to 95,700 |
| 2014 | 18,930 | 29.0% | 27.7% | 84,900 65,500 to 107,700 |
| 2013 | 12,672 | 29.8% | 30.6% | 95,000 71,800 to 121,100 |
| 2012 | 2,543 | 34.0% | 33.4% | 102,800 78,200 to 127,500 |
| 2004 | 1,014 | 51.1% | 42.3% | 123,000 94,500 to 162,300 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Volvo V40 tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | V40 | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 5.9% | 4.2% | More than most |
| Tyres | 5.7% | 4.1% | More than most |
| Lights and electrics | 4.1% | 5.2% | |
| Brakes | 3.7% | 3.4% | |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.8% | 1.5% | |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 1.7% | 2.5% | Less than most |
| Body and structure | 1.6% | 1.3% | |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.3% | 0.4% |
The parts that fail most
- Coil spring4.3%
- Tyre4.1%
- Tyre tread1.8%
- Brake pads1.8%
- Headlamp aim1.7%
- Driveshaft joint1.2%
- Side light1.2%
- Wipers0.9%
- Engine warning light0.7%
- Anti-lock braking system0.7%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Coil spring: fractured or broken4.2%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed1.8%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.7%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.7%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.3%
- Driveshaft joint: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.1%
- Side light: not working1.1%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively0.9%
- Headlamp aim: too low0.9%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction0.7%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge14.2%
- Brake pads: wearing thin7.4%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing5.9%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened4.6%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement3.0%
- Brake discs: worn, but not excessively1.6%
- Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt1.5%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive1.5%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
Check a Volvo V40's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.