1999 · 25 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1999 Volvo S40 MOT pass rate and common faults

129 MOT tests in 2024. 51.9% passed first time, compared with 63.3% for all cars the same age.

82Well below average
Passed first time51.9%
Failed or needed repairs48.1%
Typical mileage at test90,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 129 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength9.3%
  2. Position lamp: not working8.5%
  3. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect7.0%
  4. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases4.7%
  5. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam3.9%
  6. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements3.9%
  7. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn3.1%
  8. Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn3.1%
  9. Emissions not tested: unable to be completed3.1%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics46.5%
  2. Suspension27.1%
  3. Brakes18.6%
  4. Body & chassis17.1%
  5. Emissions & leaks10.9%
  6. Tyres7.8%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.9%
  8. Steering3.9%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded25.6%
  2. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick11.6%
  3. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn10.9%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm10.9%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure10.1%

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: component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength. 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 1999 Volvo S40?

In 2024, 51.9% of 1999 Volvo S40 cars passed their MOT first time, across 129 tests. The average for all 25-year-old cars was 63.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1999 Volvo S40?

The most common failure reasons were component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength; position lamp: not working; headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 1999 Volvo S40 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 82, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).