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Volvo S40 Common Problems, Faults & Repair Costs (2026)

Based on official DVSA MOT test data. View the most common MOT failure categories, pass rates, and estimated repair costs for the Volvo S40 (2004–2012).

MOT Pass Rate

77.5%4.5% below national avg (82%)

Reliability rating: Good — based on approx. 15,000 tests

Dangerous Defects

1.90%

Moderate risk

Retest Rate

14.5%

of failed tests need a retest

Top MOT Failure Categories

1

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment

Est. repair: £40–£200

16.2%
2

Suspension

Est. repair: £120–£450

15.0%
3

Brakes

Est. repair: £100–£350

12.8%
4

Tyres

Est. repair: £50–£120 per tyre

10.2%
5

Exhaust, fuel and emissions

Est. repair: £40–£200

8.5%

Where Faults Occur

31.0%

Front

29.0%

Rear

21.0%

Offside

Mileage Benchmarks

At 3 years

24,000 mi

At 5 years

40,000 mi

At 10 years

78,000 mi

Significantly higher or lower mileage than these benchmarks may indicate unusual usage patterns. Check the full MOT history for mileage consistency.

Is a Volvo S40 a Good Buy?

The Volvo S40 shows average reliability in MOT data. With a 77.5% pass rate, it sits 4.5% below the national average of 82%.

Budget for potential repairs in lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment and suspension. An independent pre-purchase inspection is recommended, especially for older examples. Always check the full MOT history for recurring issues.

Volvo S40 MOT Check & History

View detailed MOT pass rates by year, mileage benchmarks, and full test history data for the Volvo S40.

View Volvo S40 MOT Data

Check a Specific Volvo S40

Enter a registration number to view the full MOT history for any Volvo S40.

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Other Volvo Models

Volvo XC60

83.8%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Volvo V40

81.2%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Volvo XC40

86.5%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Volvo V60

82.5%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Volvo S60

81.0%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Volvo XC90

80.5%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

View all Volvo models

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common MOT faults on a Volvo S40?
The top MOT failure on the Volvo S40 is Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment, accounting for approximately 16.2% of all failures. Other common issues include suspension and brakes.
What is the Volvo S40 MOT pass rate?
The Volvo S40 has an estimated MOT pass rate of 77.5%, which is 4.5% below the national average of 82%. This rates the Volvo S40 as "Good" for MOT reliability.
Is the Volvo S40 reliable?
Based on DVSA MOT data, the Volvo S40 has a good reliability record with a 77.5% pass rate. It has a dangerous defect rate of 1.90% and a retest rate of 14.5%.
How much does it cost to fix common Volvo S40 MOT failures?
Typical repair costs for Volvo S40 MOT failures range from £30–£200 for lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues to £120–£450 for suspension problems. Prices are estimates based on typical UK independent garage rates.
What mileage should a Volvo S40 have?
Based on MOT test data, the average Volvo S40 covers approximately 24,000 mi by 3 years, 40,000 mi by 5 years, and 78,000 mi by 10 years. Significantly higher or lower mileage may warrant closer inspection.
Should I buy a used Volvo S40?
The Volvo S40 is generally a solid choice based on MOT data. Check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before purchasing, paying particular attention to lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues and mileage consistency.
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