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Volvo V40 reliability by build year

Coverage 2012-20192 named generationsfamily hatchbackHatchbackDIESEL / PETROL
At a glance

Volvo V40 built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Volvo V40 models built around 2018 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Check a Volvo V40 by number plate

Key figure

18% of MOT tests on Volvo V40 models built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 16% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Volvo V40 models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Volvo V40's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your V40's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

V40 Mk2

Mk2 (2012-2019)

Average
PETROLDIESEL

17.9% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

From 15,788 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Pre

Older models (before 2005)

PETROLDIESEL

36.7% fail rate, built around 2004 (21 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.1%)

From 1,110 MOT tests at this ageNo separate page

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Volvo V40.

See every build year for the Volvo V40

Side-by-side

Volvo V40 generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
Mk2 (2012-2019)
Average
Average17.9%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 15,788 MOT tests at this age
Older models (before 2005)
No rating
No rating36.7%built around 2004 (21 years old)from 1,110 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the V40, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Volvo V40 fail rate by age

This chart combines every Volvo V40 ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
3,34716.2%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
12,70716.7%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
15,78817.9%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
18,17019.3%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
19,87723.0%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
21,32125.2%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
18,36225.4%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
9,89726.4%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
1,09328.0%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
28036.1%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
1,11036.7%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
89535.4%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
64835.5%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
37434.5%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
43932.1%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 21 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Volvo V40 stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other Volvo models

7th of 8

7th lowest fail rate of 8 Volvo models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the highest third

Against other hatchbacks

51st of 84

51st lowest fail rate of 84 hatchbacks with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the middle third

Against the UK average

17.9%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Volvo V40 models

These issues come from 7-year-old Volvo V40 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    19.6%
    Advisory: 4,472Fail: 335 (7% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    13.5%
    Advisory: 2,407Fail: 688 (22% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    11.9%
    Advisory: 2,140Fail: 332 (13% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Coil spring corroded

    6.3%
    Advisory: 103Fail: 1,007 (91% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    5.7%
    Advisory: 1,208Fail: 124 (9% of the times it was found)

Based on 15,788 MOT tests on 7-year-old Volvo V40 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Volvo V40 models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Brakes + Tyres37%
  2. Suspension + Tyres26%
  3. Other + Tyres20%
  4. Brakes + Suspension17%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 3,688 MOT tests on Volvo V40 cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

92%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · The same

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

31 recalls in all

12 of the 31 Volvo V40 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 2 Critical
  • 10 more

Top concerns

  • Driver's airbag module may not deploy as intended
  • Coolant leakage may result in a fire
  • There is a risk for trapped air to be in the cooling system which may result in insufficient cooling of engine componen

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Mini

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.6%

    Lower fail rate: 12.3%, against 17.9% for the Volvo V40, both built around 2018.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate, share still registered and recalls only.

    50,561 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Suzuki SX4

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.5%

    Lower fail rate: 13.5%, against 17.9% for the Volvo V40, both built around 2018.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    3,314 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Lexus CT

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.1%
    Dangerous
    4.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    88.2%

    Lower fail rate: 10.5%, against 17.9% for the Volvo V40, both built around 2018.

    3,255 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Toyota Prius

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    11.1%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.9%
    Dangerous
    3.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94.4%

    Lower fail rate: 11.1%, against 17.9% for the Volvo V40, both built around 2018.

    5 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    17,367 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Volvo V40 across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. It has the 7th lowest fail rate of 8 Volvo models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 15,788 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Volvo V40 ever sold: 124,308 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 15,788 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.