1999 Volvo S40 1.8i Petrol Dir. Inj MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for S40 1.8i Petrol Dir. Inj models manufactured in 1999, based on 30 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
This page shows all S40 1.8i Petrol Dir. Inj cars tested in 1999. Want to see how cars built in 1999 hold up over time?
View 1999 Volvo S40 1.8i Petrol Dir. Inj vintage page → (30.0% current pass rate)1999 Volvo S40 1.8i Petrol Dir. Inj MOT Analysis
The 1999 Volvo S40 1.8i Petrol Dir. Inj has an MOT pass rate of 30.0% based on 30 tests — significantly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 119,675 miles on the odometer. With a 70.0% failure rate, the 1999 S40 1.8i Petrol Dir. Inj is rated as "Very Poor" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1999 Volvo S40 1.8i Petrol Dir. Inj is Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment, responsible for 153.3% of failures. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs range from £5–50. Brakes is the second most common issue at 130.0%. Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions follows at 80.0%.
Top failures specific to 1999 models only. The overall S40 1.8i Petrol Dir. Inj page may show different rankings.
What Fails Most
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 153.3% | 46 |
| 2 | Brakes | 130.0% | 39 |
| 3 | Exhaust, Fuel And Emissions | 80.0% | 24 |
| 4 | Tyres | 40.0% | 12 |
| 5 | Suspension | 36.7% | 11 |
| 6 | Steering | 10.0% | 3 |
| 7 | Driver's View Of The Road | 10.0% | 3 |
| 8 | Seat Belts And Supplementary Restraint Systems | 6.7% | 2 |
| 9 | Body, Structure And General Items | 3.3% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 119,675 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lamps & Electrical | 12.81 | 153.3% | 46 |
| Brakes | 10.86 | 130.0% | 39 |
| Emissions & Exhaust | 6.68 | 80.0% | 24 |
| Tyres | 3.34 | 40.0% | 12 |
| Suspension | 3.06 | 36.7% | 11 |
| Steering | 0.84 | 10.0% | 3 |
| Visibility | 0.84 | 10.0% | 3 |
| Seat Belts | 0.56 | 6.7% | 2 |
| Body & Structure | 0.28 | 3.3% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1999 Volvo S40 1.8i Petrol Dir. Inj has an MOT pass rate of 30.0% based on 30 tests — significantly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 119,675 miles on the odometer. With a 70.0% failure rate, the 1999 S40 1.8i Petrol Dir. Inj is rated as "Very Poor" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1999 Volvo S40 1.8i Petrol Dir. Inj, be prepared for above-average maintenance costs. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test. With an average mileage of 119,675 miles, these vehicles are in the higher-mileage bracket where wear-related failures become more common.
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment — 153.3% of failures
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment issues account for 153.3% of MOT failures on 1999 Volvo S40 1.8i Petrol Dir. Inj models. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs: £5–50. Pre-MOT check: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test.
Brakes — 130.0% of failures
Brakes issues account for 130.0% of MOT failures on 1999 Volvo S40 1.8i Petrol Dir. Inj models. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. Typical repair costs: £150–400. Pre-MOT check: Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Check brake pedal feel — if it feels spongy or goes to the floor, have the system inspected immediately. Look at brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes (minimum 3mm).
Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions — 80.0% of failures
Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions issues account for 80.0% of MOT failures on 1999 Volvo S40 1.8i Petrol Dir. Inj models. Emissions failures occur when exhaust gases exceed legal limits for carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), or particulate matter (diesel). Common causes include faulty oxygen sensors, clogged catalytic converters, or DPF issues on diesel vehicles. Typical repair costs: £100–1,000+. Pre-MOT check: If the engine management light is on, get it diagnosed before the MOT. For diesel cars, ensure the DPF has completed a regeneration cycle. Regular servicing and using premium fuel before the test can help.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.