Family hatchback · 1996–2016 cars
Volvo S40 reliability
The Volvo S40 fails 42.7% of first MOT tests, 4% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 69,056 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Volvo S40 before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 42.7%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 4% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 69,056
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 8,800
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Volvo S40 ages
Each point is the share of Volvo S40s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Volvo S40 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | 36.8% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 38.3% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 40.2% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 39.9% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 41% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 43.6% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 42.2% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 41.5% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 43.6% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 45.2% | 43.5% |
| 19 | 47.9% | 43.4% |
| 20 | 48.6% | 42.8% |
| 21 | 45.9% | 41.4% |
| 22 | 46.9% | 40.6% |
| 23 | 42.7% | 38.9% |
| 24 | 47.6% | 37.1% |
| 25 | 45.4% | 35.8% |
By year
The best and worst Volvo S40 years
2006 cars come out best and 2002 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 S40 | 4,346 | 36.7% | 7% more fails | 92,460 |
| 2011 S40 | 5,159 | 40.7% | 10% more fails | 100,809 |
| 2010 S40 | 7,284 | 42% | 6% more fails | 102,976 |
| 2009 S40 | 8,851 | 41.2% | 2% more fails | 102,343 |
| 2008 S40 | 10,995 | 43% | 1% more fails | 108,590 |
| 2007 S40 | 7,100 | 42.1% | 3% fewer fails | 114,699 |
| 2006 S40 | 6,767 | 40.6% | 7% fewer fails | 115,730 |
| 2005 S40 | 5,851 | 45.3% | 3% more fails | 114,049 |
| 2004 S40 | 4,594 | 48% | 11% more fails | 102,143 |
| 2003 S40 | 2,568 | 49.3% | 15% more fails | 99,218 |
| 2002 S40 | 1,764 | 48.6% | 15% more fails | 97,769 |
| 2001 S40 | 1,255 | 43.8% | 7% more fails | 95,395 |
| 2000 | 930 | 44.6% | 14% more fails | 88,268 |
| 1999 | 707 | 46.8% | 25% more fails | 90,277 |
| 1998 | 571 | 42.6% | 17% more fails | 91,109 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Volvo S40
Its weak spot is steering: 19% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics19.2%2% below avg
- Suspension18%11% above avg
- Brakes10.9%5% below avg
- Tyres8.5%17% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure7.4%2% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.7%14% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks4.9%18% below avg
- Steering4.2%19% above avg
- Seat belts and airbags1.6%27% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Position lamp not working 5.43% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 2
Coil spring fractured or broken 5.1% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 3
CV joint boot split or insecure 3.9% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 4
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 3.18% of tests
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
- 5
Registration plate lamp not working 2.63% of tests
A dark number plate lamp makes the plate hard to read at night, which is illegal and must be fixed.
- 6
Tyre ply or cords exposed 2.58% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 7
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.55% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 8
Dipped beam headlamp not working 2.46% of tests
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Volvo S40's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit18.05%
- Brake disc pitted or scored9.85%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear9.81%
- Brake pads wearing thin7.79%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking7.54%
- Engine oil leak, not excessive6.21%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Volvo S40
- 1
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 2
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 3
CV joint boot split or insecure
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 4
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Volvo S40 covers about 8,800 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Petrol52.1%
- Diesel47.8%
- LPG0%
- Electric0%
Most common colours
Silver, Blue, Black, Grey, Red
Average engine size: 1.8 litres.
Compare
How the Volvo S40 compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Subaru Impreza | 25% | 38% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Skoda Rapid | 23.9% | about average for its age |
| Volvo C30 | 40% | 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Alfa Romeo Giulietta | 30.4% | 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volvo S40 | 42.7% | 4% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Kia Soul | 28.5% | 5% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Nissan Pulsar | 23.9% | 18% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every family hatchback ranked in the family hatchback reliability index, or all Volvo models.
Questions
Volvo S40 questions, answered
Is the Volvo S40 reliable?
On MOT results, the Volvo S40 is about average: it fails 42.7% of first MOT tests, 4% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 31 of 65 family hatchback models in our index.
What fails most on a Volvo S40 MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Volvo S40 are position lamp not working (5.43% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (5.1% of tests), cv joint boot split or insecure (3.9% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 19.2% of its tests.
Which Volvo S40 year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2006 cars do best (7% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2002 cars do worst (15% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Volvo S40 do a year?
A typical Volvo S40 covers about 8,800 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Volvo S40 before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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