2004 · 20 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2004 Volvo V40 MOT pass rate and common faults

771 MOT tests in 2024. 48.4% passed first time, compared with 56.4% for all cars the same age.

86Well below average
Passed first time48.4%
Failed or needed repairs51.6%
Typical mileage at test117,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 771 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Position lamp: not working7.5%
  2. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt6.9%
  3. SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault5.3%
  4. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements5.2%
  5. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded5.2%
  6. Suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt4.4%
  7. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick3.8%
    39 marked dangerous
  8. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.6%
  9. Coil spring: fractured or broken3.6%
  10. Steering rack: gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.5%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics39.2%
  2. Brakes32.2%
  3. Suspension24.1%
  4. Body & chassis12.6%
  5. Tyres10.5%
  6. Seat belts & airbags8.9%
  7. Steering8.7%
  8. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)8.0%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded21.4%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm15.8%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened15.4%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure13.2%
  5. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine12.6%

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.

← 2003 V40All V40 years2012 V40 →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2004 Volvo V40?

In 2024, 48.4% of 2004 Volvo V40 cars passed their MOT first time, across 771 tests. The average for all 20-year-old cars was 56.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2004 Volvo V40?

The most common failure reasons were position lamp: not working; joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; srs malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2004 Volvo V40 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 86, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).