Volvo S40 Cd 2.0i MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 93 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 65.6%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
Volvo S40 Cd 2.0i MOT Reliability Overview
The Volvo S40 Cd 2.0i is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 93 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 2 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 34.4% and a failure rate of 65.6%, which is significantly below the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the Volvo S40 Cd 2.0i earns a "Very Poor" reliability rating. The average Volvo S40 Cd 2.0i presents for MOT with approximately 132,446 miles on the clock. Manufacture year matters: 1998 models achieve the highest pass rate at 40.0%, while 1997 models have the lowest at 30.6%. This 9.4 percentage point difference suggests notable variation in build quality or component durability across production years.
The most common MOT failure for the Volvo S40 Cd 2.0i is Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment, affecting 51.6% of all tests. 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. The second most common issue is Brakes at 34.4%. Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions rounds out the top three at 29.0%. Together, these top 3 failure categories account for a significant portion of all MOT failures for this model.
Top failures across all manufacture years combined. Individual year pages may show different top failures.
What Fails Most
Best Year to Buy
📈 How Each Vintage Ages
Pass Rate by Manufacture Year
* High Fail Rate badge indicates an MOT pass rate below 65% (failure rate above 35%).
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 | 136.6% | 127 |
| 2 | Brakes | 93.5% | 87 |
| 3 | Exhaust, Fuel And Emissions | 46.2% | 43 |
| 4 | Suspension | 45.2% | 42 |
| 5 | Tyres | 41.9% | 39 |
| 6 | Driver's View Of The Road | 30.1% | 28 |
| 7 | Steering | 21.5% | 20 |
| 8 | Items Not Tested | 5.4% | 5 |
| 9 | Registration Plates And Vin | 5.4% | 5 |
| 10 | Body, Structure And General Items | 5.4% | 5 |
| 11 | Road Wheels | 4.3% | 4 |
| 12 | Seat Belts And Supplementary Restraint Systems | 4.3% | 4 |
| 13 | Towbars | 3.2% | 3 |
| 14 | Identification Of The Vehicle | 1.1% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 132,446 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 | 10.31 | 136.6% | 127 |
| Brakes | 7.06 | 93.5% | 87 |
| Emissions & Exhaust | 3.49 | 46.2% | 43 |
| Suspension | 3.41 | 45.2% | 42 |
| Tyres | 3.17 | 41.9% | 39 |
| Visibility | 2.27 | 30.1% | 28 |
| Steering | 1.62 | 21.5% | 20 |
| Items Not Tested | 0.41 | 5.4% | 5 |
| Registration Plates and VIN | 0.41 | 5.4% | 5 |
| Body & Structure | 0.41 | 5.4% | 5 |
| Wheels | 0.32 | 4.3% | 4 |
| Seat Belts | 0.32 | 4.3% | 4 |
| Towbars | 0.24 | 3.2% | 3 |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.08 | 1.1% | 1 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average Volvo S40 Cd 2.0i has 132,446 miles when tested for MOT.
📊 Mileage-Adjusted Failure Rate
How often this car fails MOT relative to how much it's driven — a fairer comparison than raw pass rate.
The Volvo S40 Cd 2.0i has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 4.95% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is better than average.
About Volvo S40 Cd 2.0i MOT Data
The Volvo S40 Cd 2.0i is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 93 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 2 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 34.4% and a failure rate of 65.6%, which is significantly below the UK average of approximately 37%.
For Volvo S40 Cd 2.0i owners, these results suggest above-average failure risk — thorough pre-MOT checks are recommended. Focus your pre-MOT checks on lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment and brakes for the best chance of a first-time pass. Use our detailed year-by-year breakdown and failure analysis below to understand how your specific S40 Cd 2.0i is likely to perform.
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment — 51.6% of failures
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment issues account for 51.6% of MOT failures on the Volvo S40 Cd 2.0i. 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 — 34.4% of failures
Brakes issues account for 34.4% of MOT failures on the Volvo S40 Cd 2.0i. 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 — 29.0% of failures
Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions issues account for 29.0% of MOT failures on the Volvo S40 Cd 2.0i. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Volvo S40 Cd 2.0i?
Based on 93 (based on limited data) MOT tests in our database, the Volvo S40 Cd 2.0i has an overall pass rate of 34.4% (65.6% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a Volvo S40 Cd 2.0i?
The top 3 reasons a Volvo S40 Cd 2.0i fails its MOT are: 1. Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (51.6%), 2. Brakes (34.4%), 3. Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions (29.0%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the Volvo S40 Cd 2.0i reliable?
With a 65.6% MOT failure rate, the S40 Cd 2.0i is less reliable than average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my Volvo S40 Cd 2.0i?
Based on failure data, focus on: Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (51.6%); Brakes (34.4%); Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions (29.0%). These are the areas most likely to cause a fail. Also check all lights, tyres (minimum 1.6mm tread), and windscreen condition — these are quick wins that apply to all cars.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.