Volvo S40 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Volvo S40 car check
Is the Volvo S40 reliable? We analysed 1,390,271 real MOT tests across 104,646 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Volvo S40? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Volvo S40 is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include position lamp(s) not working, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm and registration plate lamp not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Volvo S40.
Volvo S40 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Volvo S40. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Volvo S40 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Volvo S40 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Volvo S40 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Volvo S40 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Volvo S40 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Volvo S40 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Volvo S40 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Volvo S40 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 590 | 76.3% | 41,137 | 69,457 | 101,380 |
| 2012 | 21,253 | 76.5% | 45,032 | 71,329 | 102,664 |
| 2011 | 28,373 | 75.1% | 48,294 | 76,337 | 107,558 |
| 2010 | 46,259 | 75.3% | 47,679 | 75,671 | 105,506 |
| 2009 | 61,979 | 74.9% | 45,216 | 73,340 | 105,052 |
| 2008 | 95,302 | 73.6% | 49,630 | 77,970 | 109,306 |
| 2007 | 72,783 | 73.8% | 52,202 | 82,406 | 114,960 |
| 2006 | 85,525 | 74.9% | 51,326 | 81,190 | 114,576 |
| 2005 | 109,415 | 73.7% | 53,411 | 83,495 | 116,410 |
| 2004 | 113,086 | 70.9% | 48,531 | 75,870 | 108,109 |
| 2003 | 104,462 | 68.9% | 49,083 | 76,229 | 107,213 |
| 2002 | 105,329 | 68.8% | 54,979 | 81,746 | 112,597 |
| 2001 | 106,809 | 68.1% | 60,184 | 85,515 | 114,047 |
| 2000 | 110,715 | 67.4% | 62,439 | 86,316 | 112,811 |
| 1999 | 121,212 | 65.6% | 69,283 | 92,953 | 119,562 |
| 1998 | 106,400 | 64.5% | 72,534 | 95,920 | 122,017 |
| 1997 | 78,432 | 63.3% | 76,691 | 100,010 | 125,350 |
| 1996 | 21,139 | 62.3% | 80,640 | 103,036 | 128,379 |
| 1971 | 145 | 69.7% | 79,920 | 93,951 | 109,694 |
How Long Does a Volvo S40 Last?
Based on 104,646 Volvo S40 vehicles on UK roads.
Volvo S40 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Volvo S40 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Volvo S40
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
76.5% MOT pass rate from 21,253 tests
62.3% MOT pass rate from 21,139 tests
The best year to buy a used Volvo S40 is 2012, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 76.5% across 21,253 tests. The 1996 model year has the lowest pass rate at 62.3% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Volvo S40 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volvo S40 THIS CAR | 69.9% | 1,390,271 | 84,701 mi | 30 yrs |
| Volvo V70 | 71% | 1,930,508 | 113,181 mi | 29 yrs |
| Volvo V40 | 73.7% | 1,865,374 | 76,415 mi | 30 yrs |
| Volvo XC90 | 74.6% | 1,122,947 | 87,449 mi | 23 yrs |
| Volkswagen Caravelle | 71.2% | 422,168 | 107,704 mi | 43 yrs |
Compared to the Volvo V70 (71.0% pass rate) and the Volvo V40 (73.7% pass rate), the Volvo S40 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Volvo S40 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Volvo S40Should you buy a used Volvo S40?
The Volvo S40 has an overall MOT pass rate of 69.9% across 1,390,271 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Volvo S40 are position lamp(s) not working (60,127 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (53,645), and registration plate lamp not working (51,350). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Volvo S40 owner drives around 6,355 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Volvo S40 models stay on UK roads for around 30 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.