2009 Volvo S40 · 8,851 MOT tests
2009 Volvo S40 reliability
2009 Volvo S40s fail 41.2% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 4 of 12 S40 years (8,851 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Volvo S40s: 42.7%)
- 41.2%
- first-time fail rate (all Volvo S40s: 42.7%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 2% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 13
- 102,343
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 13
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 8,851
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2009 against the years either side
- 2008 cars: about average for its age (the 2009 car does worse)
- 2010 cars: 6% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2009 car does better)
- Weak spot: steering, 4.5% of tests fail here (41% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 20% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2009 car carries a 58 plate (January–February 2009), or a 09 plate (March–August 2009), or a 59 plate (September–December 2009).
Common problems
What fails on a 2009 Volvo S40
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics19.3%
- Suspension17.1%
- Brakes8.9%
- Tyres8.7%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.7%
- Body, chassis and structure5.3%
- Steering4.5%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 5.78%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Coil spring fractured or broken 4.89%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 3.97%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Registration plate lamp not working 2.88%
A dark number plate lamp makes the plate hard to read at night, which is illegal and must be fixed.
Tyre ply or cords exposed 2.84%
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
Dipped beam headlamp not working 2.76%
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (18.98%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (10.89%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (8.54%) · Brake pads wearing thin (7.47%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (7.03%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (5.57%)
Other years
Every Volvo S40 year
The full picture: Volvo S40 reliability. Before you pay for any Volvo S40, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2009 Volvo S40 reliable?
2009 Volvo S40s fail 41.2% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 4 of 12 S40 years (8,851 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2009 Volvo S40 MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (5.78% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (4.89% of tests), suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn (3.97% of tests).
How many miles should a 2009 Volvo S40 have done?
At its MOT aged about 13, a typical 2009 Volvo S40 shows 102,343 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2009 car?
A car first registered in 2009 carries a 58 plate (January–February 2009), or a 09 plate (March–August 2009), or a 59 plate (September–December 2009).
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