2000 · 24 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2000 Volvo S40 MOT pass rate and common faults

206 MOT tests in 2024. 54.4% passed first time, compared with 61.5% for all cars the same age.

88Well below average
Passed first time54.4%
Failed or needed repairs45.6%
Typical mileage at test88,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 206 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Position lamp: not working9.2%
  2. Steering rack: gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt5.8%
  3. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt4.4%
  4. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect4.4%
  5. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded4.4%
  6. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements3.9%
  7. Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps3.4%
  8. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.4%
  9. Coil spring: fractured or broken3.4%
  10. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.9%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics46.1%
  2. Brakes32.5%
  3. Suspension23.3%
  4. Steering13.1%
  5. Body & chassis10.7%
  6. Tyres10.2%
  7. Emissions & leaks6.3%
  8. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.8%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded18.4%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm15.5%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure11.7%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened10.7%
  5. Registration plates: inscription illegible9.7%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: position lamp: not working. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2000 Volvo S40?

In 2024, 54.4% of 2000 Volvo S40 cars passed their MOT first time, across 206 tests. The average for all 24-year-old cars was 61.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2000 Volvo S40?

The most common failure reasons were position lamp: not working; steering rack: gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2000 Volvo S40 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 88, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).