2001 · 23 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2001 Volvo S40 MOT pass rate and common faults

287 MOT tests in 2024. 53.3% passed first time, compared with 59.4% for all cars the same age.

90Well below average
Passed first time53.3%
Failed or needed repairs46.7%
Typical mileage at test96,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 287 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Position lamp: not working4.9%
  2. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements4.2%
  3. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded3.8%
  4. Coil spring: fractured or broken3.8%
  5. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases3.5%
  6. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.5%
  7. Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps3.1%
  8. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.1%
  9. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.8%
    12 marked dangerous
  10. Suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.8%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics29.3%
  2. Brakes28.2%
  3. Suspension19.9%
  4. Body & chassis11.8%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)8.7%
  6. Tyres7.3%
  7. Emissions & leaks6.6%
  8. Steering5.9%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded20.9%
  2. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure17.8%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened13.6%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm10.5%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick10.1%

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 2001 Volvo S40?

In 2024, 53.3% of 2001 Volvo S40 cars passed their MOT first time, across 287 tests. The average for all 23-year-old cars was 59.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2001 Volvo S40?

The most common failure reasons were position lamp: not working; rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements; rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2001 Volvo S40 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 90, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).