2003 · 21 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2003 Volvo S40 MOT pass rate and common faults

624 MOT tests in 2024. 49.0% passed first time, compared with 57.3% for all cars the same age.

86Well below average
Passed first time49.0%
Failed or needed repairs51.0%
Typical mileage at test98,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 624 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Position lamp: not working5.8%
  2. Coil spring: fractured or broken4.5%
  3. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements4.5%
  4. SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault4.0%
  5. Suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.7%
  6. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.5%
  7. Steering rack: gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.5%
  8. Parking brake performance: inoperative on one side3.4%
  9. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.4%
  10. Headlamp aim: too low2.9%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics34.9%
  2. Brakes31.6%
  3. Suspension26.6%
  4. Body & chassis9.0%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)8.7%
  6. Steering8.5%
  7. Emissions & leaks8.3%
  8. Tyres7.1%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded20.5%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm15.9%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure15.2%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened13.9%
  5. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine9.1%

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 2003 Volvo S40?

In 2024, 49.0% of 2003 Volvo S40 cars passed their MOT first time, across 624 tests. The average for all 21-year-old cars was 57.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2003 Volvo S40?

The most common failure reasons were position lamp: not working; coil spring: fractured or broken; rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2003 Volvo S40 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).