2009 · 15 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2009 Volvo S40 MOT pass rate and common faults

2,369 MOT tests in 2024. 58.9% passed first time, compared with 58.4% for all cars the same age.

101About average
Passed first time58.9%
Failed or needed repairs41.1%
Typical mileage at test105,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 2,369 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Position lamp: not working5.6%
  2. Coil spring: fractured or broken4.9%
  3. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn4.1%
  4. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.0%
  5. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed3.0%
    92 marked dangerous
  6. Steering rack: gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.8%
  7. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.5%
    90 marked dangerous
  8. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.5%
    77 marked dangerous
  9. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn2.4%
  10. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam2.4%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics25.5%
  2. Suspension22.0%
  3. Brakes14.2%
  4. Tyres9.6%
  5. Body & chassis7.0%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.2%
  7. Emissions & leaks5.8%
  8. Steering5.5%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm22.3%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn12.7%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened10.3%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick8.9%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure8.4%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year is about as good as an average car its age. 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 2009 Volvo S40?

In 2024, 58.9% of 2009 Volvo S40 cars passed their MOT first time, across 2,369 tests. The average for all 15-year-old cars was 58.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2009 Volvo S40?

The most common failure reasons were position lamp: not working; coil spring: fractured or broken; suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2009 Volvo S40 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 101, which is about average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).