Volvo V40 MOT pass rate
In 2023, the Volvo V40 passed 73.3% of its first MOT tests, from 100,475 tests in Great Britain. That is 1.9 points above the 71.4% average for all cars, taxis and light vans.
Most common Volvo V40 MOT failures
The area that failed most often was suspension, affecting 9.8% of tests. The red line shows the average for all cars.
- Suspension 9.8% vs 8.9%
- Tyres 7.8% vs 6.3%
- Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment 6.4% vs 11.3%
- Brakes 5.3% vs 6.8%
- Visibility 2.8% vs 4.8%
- Noise, emissions and leaks 2.5% vs 3.1%
- Body, chassis, structure 1.9% vs 3.4%
- Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems 0.6% vs 1.0%
- Coil spring 7.7% vs 2.6%
- Tyres: condition 5.4% vs 3.7%
- Headlamp aim 2.6% vs 3.3%
- Brake pads 2.5% vs 2.1%
- Tread depth 2.5% vs 2.6%
- Position lamp 1.9% vs 2.8%
- Wipers 1.4% vs 2.2%
- Joints 1.2% vs 1.4%
Top reasons for failure
| Reason for failure | Share of tests |
|---|---|
| Coil spring: Fractured or broken | 7.7% |
| Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | 2.4% |
| Brake pads: Less than 1.5 mm thick | 2.4% |
| Tyres: condition: Has ply or cords exposed | 2.4% |
| Position lamp: Not working | 1.8% |
| Tyres: condition: Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 1.7% |
| Wipers: Does not clear the windscreen effectively | 1.4% |
| Headlamp aim: Too low | 1.3% |
| Joints: Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | 1.1% |
| Headlamp aim: Too high | 0.8% |
Volvo V40 pass rate by age
The pass rate changes with age: 83.1% for cars aged 3 to 5 years and 49.1% for those aged 15 years or more. Older cars usually fail more often because parts like suspension, brakes and exhausts wear with time and mileage.
- 3 to 5 years 83.1% vs 71.4%
- 6 to 9 years 72.9% vs 71.4%
- 10 to 14 years 67.6% vs 71.4%
- 15 years or more 49.1% vs 71.4%
Pass rate by fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 63,598 | 71.0% |
| Petrol | 36,864 | 77.3% |
Most common Volvo V40 advisories
Advisories do not fail the test, but they often become failures by the next MOT. These were noted most often:
- Tread depth 19.6%
- Brake pads 10.4%
- Tyres: condition 10.3%
- Brake discs 8.1%
- Vehicle 5.5%
- Pins and bushes 3.2%
- Engine oil leaks 1.8%
- Coil spring 1.6%
See MOT advisories explained for what to do about them.
How we worked this out
These figures come from DVSA's anonymised MOT testing data for 2023, covering every class 4 MOT test in Great Britain (cars, taxis and light vans). We count normal tests only, not retests. A test counts as a first-time pass if the vehicle passed without any repairs. Tests where defects were fixed at the test centre within an hour (PRS) count as fails, in line with DVSA's own statistics. Failure areas show the share of tests with at least one failure in that area, so the figures add up to more than the fail rate.
Other Volvo models
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Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Volvo V40?
In 2023, 73.3% of Volvo V40 MOT tests were passed first time, from 100,475 tests in Great Britain. The average for all cars, taxis and light vans was 71.4%.
What is the most common MOT failure on the Volvo V40?
The most common failure area was suspension, which caused 9.8% of tests to fail. Next came tyres (7.8%) and lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment (6.4%).
Is the Volvo V40 reliable at its MOT?
Its first-time pass rate of 73.3% is 1.9 points above the average and ranks 42 of the 100 most-tested models. Age and mileage matter more than the model, so always check the history of the car you are buying.
How do I check a Volvo V40's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT history check. You will see every test, the mileage at each test and all failures and advisories.