Small SUV · 2013–2021 cars
Volvo XC40 reliability
The Volvo XC40 fails 9.3% of first MOT tests, 30% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 127,825 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Volvo XC40 before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 9.3%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 30% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 127,825
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 8,700
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Volvo XC40 ages
Each point is the share of Volvo XC40s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Volvo XC40 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 8.8% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 9.6% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 10.7% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 11.4% | 19.1% |
By year
The best and worst Volvo XC40 years
2020 cars come out best and 2019 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
Common problems
What fails most on a Volvo XC40
Its weak spot is brakes: 50% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Brakes3.5%50% above avg
- Tyres3.5%24% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors1.2%64% below avg
- Lights and electrics1.1%66% below avg
- Suspension0.4%63% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks0.4%50% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.2%38% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure0.2%51% below avg
- Number plates and VIN0.1%35% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 2.29% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 2
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.24% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 0.73% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 0.55% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 5
Tyre ply or cords exposed 0.4% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 6
Headlamp aim set too high 0.31% of tests
Headlamps aimed too high can dazzle other drivers, and adjusting them is usually a quick job.
- 7
Brake discs significantly worn 0.16% of tests
Heavily worn discs reduce braking performance and wear pads faster, so a replacement will soon be needed.
- 8
Tyre bulge from structural failure 0.15% of tests
A bulge means the tyre's structure has failed and it could burst suddenly, so it must be replaced at once.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Volvo XC40's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit8.37%
- Brake pads wearing thin8.33%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking3.25%
- Brake disc pitted or scored2.35%
- Brake discs showing some wear2.13%
- Child seat limits belt inspection1.89%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Volvo XC40
- 1
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 2
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 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 XC40 covers about 8,700 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
- Petrol59.7%
- Diesel25.5%
- Hybrid14.4%
- Electric0.4%
Most common colours
Black, Grey, White, Blue, Silver
Average engine size: 1.8 litres.
Compare
How the Volvo XC40 compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen T-Roc | 9% | 34% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volvo XC40 | 9.3% | 30% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Honda HR-V | 13.1% | 28% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Jaguar E-Pace | 11.3% | 21% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| SEAT Arona | 14.2% | 9% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Vauxhall Crossland | 14.3% | 10% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Fiat 500X | 21.4% | 14% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every small suv ranked in the small suv reliability index, or all Volvo models.
Questions
Volvo XC40 questions, answered
Is the Volvo XC40 reliable?
On MOT results, the Volvo XC40 is better than average: it fails 9.3% of first MOT tests, 30% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 4 of 40 small suv models in our index.
What fails most on a Volvo XC40 MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Volvo XC40 are brake pads worn below 1.5mm (2.29% of tests), tyre cut reaching ply or cords (1.24% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (0.73% of tests). By area, brakes fails 3.5% of its tests.
Which Volvo XC40 year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2020 cars do best (33% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2019 cars do worst (26% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Volvo XC40 do a year?
A typical Volvo XC40 covers about 8,700 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 XC40 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.
Found a Volvo XC40? Check it free.
MOT history, mileage record, ULEZ, tax and recalls on any UK car, in seconds. No sign-up, no card.