Volvo V40 1.9 MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 71 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 57.7%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
Volvo V40 1.9 MOT Reliability Overview
The Volvo V40 1.9 is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 71 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 0 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 42.3% and a failure rate of 57.7%, which is significantly below the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the Volvo V40 1.9 earns a "Very Poor" reliability rating. The average Volvo V40 1.9 presents for MOT with approximately 145,941 miles on the clock.
The most common MOT failure for the Volvo V40 1.9 is Brakes, affecting 50.7% of all tests. 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. The second most common issue is Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment at 47.9%. Suspension rounds out the top three at 36.6%. 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
* 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 | Brakes | 100.0% | 71 |
| 2 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 92.9% | 66 |
| 3 | Suspension | 47.9% | 34 |
| 4 | Tyres | 36.6% | 26 |
| 5 | Driver's View Of The Road | 21.1% | 15 |
| 6 | Steering | 14.1% | 10 |
| 7 | Registration Plates And Vin | 7.0% | 5 |
| 8 | Exhaust, Fuel And Emissions | 7.0% | 5 |
| 9 | Seat Belts And Supplementary Restraint Systems | 4.2% | 3 |
| 10 | Body, Structure And General Items | 2.8% | 2 |
| 11 | Visibility | 1.4% | 1 |
| 12 | Noise, Emissions And Leaks | 1.4% | 1 |
| 13 | Body, Chassis, Structure | 1.4% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 145,941 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 6.85 | 100.0% | 71 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 6.37 | 92.9% | 66 |
| Suspension | 3.28 | 47.9% | 34 |
| Tyres | 2.51 | 36.6% | 26 |
| Visibility | 1.55 | 22.5% | 16 |
| Steering | 0.97 | 14.1% | 10 |
| Registration Plates and VIN | 0.48 | 7.0% | 5 |
| Emissions & Exhaust | 0.48 | 7.0% | 5 |
| Body & Structure | 0.29 | 4.2% | 3 |
| Seat Belts | 0.29 | 4.2% | 3 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.10 | 1.4% | 1 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average Volvo V40 1.9 has 145,941 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 V40 1.9 has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 3.95% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is better than average.
About Volvo V40 1.9 MOT Data
The Volvo V40 1.9 is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 71 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 0 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 42.3% and a failure rate of 57.7%, which is significantly below the UK average of approximately 37%.
For Volvo V40 1.9 owners, these results suggest above-average failure risk — thorough pre-MOT checks are recommended. Focus your pre-MOT checks on brakes and lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment 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 V40 1.9 is likely to perform.
Brakes — 50.7% of failures
Brakes issues account for 50.7% of MOT failures on the Volvo V40 1.9. 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).
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment — 47.9% of failures
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment issues account for 47.9% of MOT failures on the Volvo V40 1.9. 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 — 36.6% of failures
Suspension issues account for 36.6% of MOT failures on the Volvo V40 1.9. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Volvo V40 1.9?
Based on 71 (based on limited data) MOT tests in our database, the Volvo V40 1.9 has an overall pass rate of 42.3% (57.7% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a Volvo V40 1.9?
The top 3 reasons a Volvo V40 1.9 fails its MOT are: 1. Brakes (50.7%), 2. Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (47.9%), 3. Suspension (36.6%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the Volvo V40 1.9 reliable?
With a 57.7% MOT failure rate, the V40 1.9 is less reliable than average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my Volvo V40 1.9?
Based on failure data, focus on: Brakes (50.7%); Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (47.9%); Suspension (36.6%). 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.