At a Glance
The Volvo S40 has 3 identified common problems across 2 generations, with the Mk1 (1995-2004) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 980K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Volvo S40 common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Volvo S40 generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Volvo S40 Generations
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Most Common Volvo S40 MOT Failures
Every reason Volvo S40 vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Number plate lamp not working | 13.02% |
| 2 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 6.91% |
| 3 | Front lamp not working | 6.49% |
| 4 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 6.48% |
| 5 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 5.94% |
| 6 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 5.16% |
| 7 | Tyre condition | 5.12% |
| 8 | Headlamp aim defect | 4.77% |
| 9 | Brake performance below minimum | 4.24% |
| 10 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 3.70% |
| 11 | Brake pads or linings worn | 3.39% |
| 12 | Driveshaft fault | 2.99% |
| 13 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 2.08% |
| 14 | Rear lamp not working | 2.02% |
| 15 | Position lamp not working | 1.93% |
| 16 | Windscreen washer not working | 1.74% |
| 17 | Track rod end worn | 1.73% |
| 18 | Stop lamp not working | 1.67% |
| 19 | Brake disc or drum worn | 1.53% |
| 20 | Exhaust system fault | 1.37% |
| 21 | Steering rack fault | 1.21% |
| 22 | Indicator fault | 1.02% |
| 23 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.94% |
| 24 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.90% |
| 25 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 0.88% |
| 26 | Parking brake condition | 0.84% |
| 27 | Headlamp fault | 0.83% |
| 28 | Fog lamp not working | 0.81% |
| 29 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.71% |
| 30 | Seat belt condition | 0.65% |
| 31 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.60% |
| 32 | Airbag warning light on | 0.59% |
| 33 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.53% |
| 34 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.39% |
| 35 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.34% |
| 36 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.32% |
| 37 | Front suspension fault | 0.31% |
| 38 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.30% |
| 39 | ABS fault | 0.29% |
| 40 | Brake caliper fault | 0.28% |
| 41 | Electrical switch fault | 0.28% |
| 42 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.26% |
| 43 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.25% |
| 44 | Horn not working | 0.24% |
| 45 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.24% |
| 46 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.23% |
| 47 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.20% |
| 48 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.20% |
| 49 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.19% |
| 50 | Rear suspension fault | 0.18% |
| 51 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.18% |
| 52 | Brake pedal fault | 0.17% |
| 53 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.16% |
| 54 | Brake lever fault | 0.14% |
| 55 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.14% |
| 56 | Brake fluid leak | 0.13% |
| 57 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.12% |
| 58 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.10% |
| 59 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.10% |
| 60 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.08% |
| 61 | Outline marker lamp not working | 0.08% |
| 62 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.07% |
| 63 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.06% |
| 64 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.06% |
| 65 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.05% |
| 66 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.05% |
| 67 | Chassis condition | 0.05% |
| 68 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.05% |
| 69 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.04% |
| 70 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.04% |
| 71 | Steering lock fault | 0.04% |
| 72 | Driver airbag fault | 0.04% |
| 73 | Steering free play excessive | 0.04% |
| 74 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.04% |
| 75 | Body security fault | 0.03% |
| 76 | Steering operation fault | 0.03% |
| 77 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.03% |
| 78 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.03% |
| 79 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.03% |
| 80 | Steering arm worn | 0.03% |
| 81 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.03% |
| 82 | Engine oil leak | 0.03% |
| 83 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.02% |
| 84 | Propshaft fault | 0.02% |
| 85 | Drag link end worn | 0.02% |
| 86 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.02% |
| 87 | CV joint worn | 0.02% |
| 88 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.02% |
| 89 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.02% |
| 90 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | 0.02% |
| 91 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 92 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.02% |
| 93 | Driver door fault | 0.01% |
| 94 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.01% |
| 95 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.01% |
| 96 | Steering column fault | 0.01% |
| 97 | Front passenger door fault | 0.01% |
| 98 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | 0.01% |
| 99 | Headlamp washer not working | 0.01% |
| 100 | Power steering ram fault | 0.01% |
| 101 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 102 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 103 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 104 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 105 | Power steering pump fault | <0.01% |
| 106 | Subframe mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 107 | Suspension unit fault | <0.01% |
| 108 | Subframe corrosion or damage | <0.01% |
| 109 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 110 | Exhaust leak | <0.01% |
| 111 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 112 | Passenger seat fault | <0.01% |
| 113 | Reversing lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 114 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 115 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 116 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | <0.01% |
| 117 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 118 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 119 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 120 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 121 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 122 | Driver seat fault | <0.01% |
| 123 | King pin or swivel pin worn | <0.01% |
| 124 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 125 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 126 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 127 | Spring mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 128 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 130 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 131 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 133 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 139 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 140 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 141 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 142 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 143 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 144 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 145 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 149 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 150 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 151 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 152 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 153 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 156 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 157 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 158 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 159 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 160 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 161 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 162 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 163 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 164 | Dropside damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 165 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 166 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 167 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 168 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 169 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 170 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 171 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 172 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 173 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 174 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 175 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 176 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 177 | Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 178 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 179 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 180 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 181 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 182 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 183 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 184 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 185 | Suspension air bellows damaged | <0.01% |
| 186 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 187 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
Showing all 187 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Volvo S40 MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Volvo S40, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Volvo S40 problems?
Based on analysis of 980K Volvo S40 MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 3 identified common problems across 2 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Rear lamp not working". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Volvo S40 generation has the most problems?
The Volvo S40 Mk1 (1995-2004) (1995–2004) has the highest number of identified common problems (2). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Volvo S40?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Volvo S40 owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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