2012 Volvo S40 Se Edition D3 MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for S40 Se Edition D3 models manufactured in 2012, based on 31 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
2012 Volvo S40 Se Edition D3 MOT Analysis
The 2012 Volvo S40 Se Edition D3 has an MOT pass rate of 80.6% based on 31 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 61,721 miles on the odometer. With a 19.4% failure rate, the 2012 S40 Se Edition D3 is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 2012 Volvo S40 Se Edition D3 is Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment, responsible for 9.7% 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. Suspension is the second most common issue at 6.5%. Road Wheels follows at 3.2%.
Top failures specific to 2012 models only. The overall S40 Se Edition D3 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 | 9.7% | 3 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.5% | 2 |
| 3 | Road Wheels | 3.2% | 1 |
| 4 | Tyres | 3.2% | 1 |
| 5 | Brakes | 3.2% | 1 |
| 6 | Non-component Advisories | 3.2% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 61,721 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 | 1.57 | 9.7% | 3 |
| Suspension | 1.05 | 6.5% | 2 |
| Wheels | 0.52 | 3.2% | 1 |
| Tyres | 0.52 | 3.2% | 1 |
| Brakes | 0.52 | 3.2% | 1 |
| Non-component advisories | 0.52 | 3.2% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 2012 Volvo S40 Se Edition D3 has an MOT pass rate of 80.6% based on 31 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 61,721 miles on the odometer. With a 19.4% failure rate, the 2012 S40 Se Edition D3 is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 2012 Volvo S40 Se Edition D3, you can expect reliable MOT performance overall. 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. At 61,721 average miles, these vehicles are in the mid-range where component wear starts to become a factor.
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — 9.7% of failures
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues account for 9.7% of MOT failures on 2012 Volvo S40 Se Edition D3 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.
Suspension — 6.5% of failures
Suspension issues account for 6.5% of MOT failures on 2012 Volvo S40 Se Edition D3 models. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. Typical repair costs: £200–500. Pre-MOT check: Look for uneven tyre wear, listen for clunking over bumps, and check if the car pulls to one side. A bouncy ride suggests worn shock absorbers. Visually inspect coil springs for cracks.
Road Wheels — 3.2% of failures
Road Wheels issues account for 3.2% of MOT failures on 2012 Volvo S40 Se Edition D3 models. Wheel failures include cracked or severely corroded alloy wheels, missing or loose wheel nuts, and wheels that are insecurely attached. These are safety-critical and relatively rare compared to tyre failures. Typical repair costs: £100–400 per wheel. Pre-MOT check: Visually inspect wheels for cracks, especially around the spokes and rim. Check that all wheel nuts are present and tightened. Look for signs of impact damage on alloy wheels.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.