Volvo XC40 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Volvo XC40 car check
Is the Volvo XC40 reliable? We analysed 213,068 real MOT tests across 53,355 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Volvo XC40? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Volvo XC40 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Volvo XC40.
Volvo XC40 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Volvo XC40. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Volvo XC40 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Volvo XC40 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Volvo XC40 Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Volvo XC40 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Volvo XC40 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Volvo XC40 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Volvo XC40 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Volvo XC40 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 6,896 | 91.4% | 19,887 | 27,226 | 36,791 |
| 2021 | 28,370 | 90.6% | 21,257 | 29,602 | 39,677 |
| 2020 | 61,060 | 90.6% | 21,553 | 30,984 | 42,788 |
| 2019 | 74,168 | 89.9% | 22,980 | 34,452 | 49,606 |
| 2018 | 39,263 | 90.0% | 24,704 | 37,046 | 52,930 |
| 2017 | 56 | 87.5% | 29,035 | 41,754 | 55,628 |
How Long Does a Volvo XC40 Last?
Based on 53,355 Volvo XC40 vehicles on UK roads.
Volvo XC40 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Volvo XC40 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 XC40
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
91.4% MOT pass rate from 6,896 tests
87.5% MOT pass rate from 56 tests
The best year to buy a used Volvo XC40 is 2022, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 91.4% across 6,896 tests. The 2017 model year has the lowest pass rate at 87.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Volvo XC40 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volvo XC40 THIS CAR | 90.2% | 213,068 | 32,794 mi | — 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 S40 | 69.9% | 1,390,271 | 84,701 mi | 30 yrs |
| Yamaha FZ6 | 86.9% | 80,092 | 16,389 mi | 23 yrs |
Compared to the Volvo V70 (71.0% pass rate) and the Volvo V40 (73.7% pass rate), the Volvo XC40 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Volvo XC40 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 XC40Should you buy a used Volvo XC40?
The Volvo XC40 has an overall MOT pass rate of 90.2% across 213,068 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Volvo XC40 with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Volvo XC40 owner drives around 7,399 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.
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.