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VOLVO V40 Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 5,630 MOT tests from 562 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®. The figures below describe that VehicleScore® sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are not a claim that every VOLVO V40 has the same fault.

VOLVO V40's have a slightly over average reliability rating of 577/999. The score was calculated from the average of every VOLVO V40 that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the VOLVO V40.

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Check the reliability of your Volvo V40

Enter your registration to see the MOT history for this car.

Volvo V40 side view
  • Service history

    Dealer & service records

  • MOT records

    Past & current MOT data

  • Write-off check

    Check for insurance write-offs

  • Finance check

    Outstanding finance & theft checks

Fuel TypeYearReliability ScoreAvg MileageSample Size
Diesel2019764/999Very good77,320 miles2,268 vehicles
Petrol2018741/999Very good72,930 miles3,905 vehicles
Diesel2016671/999Good78,303 miles7,735 vehicles
Petrol2016720/999Very good95,755 miles3,975 vehicles
Diesel2014633/999Good78,539 miles10,275 vehicles
Petrol2014691/999Good110,938 miles2,368 vehicles
Diesel2013609/999Good80,124 miles10,854 vehicles
Diesel2010557/999Above average76,943 miles847 vehicles
Diesel2004374/999Fair84,316 miles623 vehicles
Petrol2003412/999Average90,971 miles2,436 vehicles
Diesel2002405/999Average91,787 miles960 vehicles
Petrol2001434/999Average89,325 miles2,919 vehicles
Petrol1998491/999Average97,952 miles1,069 vehicles

How reliable is the VOLVO V40?

Based on 5,630 MOT tests from 562 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®.

Vehicles

562

MOT tests

5,630

Pass rate

79.8%

Median mileage

80,265 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every VOLVO V40 has the same fault. The median VehicleScore® in this sample is 714 out of 999.

Common VOLVO V40 MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 1,173 advisory comments and 171 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 379 advisory comments and 53 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 257 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURED OR BROKEN (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 197 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Oil leak

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 90 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 67 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT POSITION LAMP NOT WORKING (4.2.1 (A) (II))

Emissions test issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 22 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an exhaust emissions result. They are counted separately from a warning lamp or a catalytic converter note.

What to inspect

Ask for the emissions printout and whether any repair followed a failed test.

Example MOT wording: EXHAUST EMISSIONS EXCEED MANUFACTURER'S SPECIFIED LIMIT (8.2.2.2 (A))

Engine warning lamp

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 18 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an engine warning lamp that was on, or did not work, during the inspection.

What to inspect

Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Example MOT wording: ENGINE MIL INOPERATIVE OR INDICATES A MALFUNCTION (8.2.2.2 (G))

VOLVO V40 MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore® has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

YearVehiclesMOT testsPass rateRecurring issues seen
20193118884%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20185437886.8%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20178775383.3%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20169183881.5%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
201595102578.5%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
201496106277.5%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20137383180.5%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20121217678.4%Tyre wear, Indicator faults
2003514166.7%Corrosion, Tyre wear

What to check when buying a used VOLVO V40

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore® sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

  • Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

  • Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

  • Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

  • Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

  • Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

  • Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

  • Emissions test issues. Ask for the emissions printout and whether any repair followed a failed test.

  • Engine warning lamp. Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Buying a VOLVO V40?

Common problems tell you what can affect VOLVO V40s generally. VehicleScore® can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore® analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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