At a Glance
The Volvo V40 has 6 identified common problems across 2 generations, with the Mk2 (2012-2019) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 1.3M 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 V40 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 V40 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.
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Volvo V40 owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Volvo V40 owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
Looking for a garage to repair your Volvo V40?
Search our directory of 12,000+ UK garages by service and postcode — every garage has verified Google reviews.
Browse Volvo V40 Generations
Select a generation to see its specific problems, MOT failures and advisories
Most Common Volvo V40 MOT Failures
Every reason Volvo V40 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 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 7.43% |
| 2 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 7.39% |
| 3 | Front lamp not working | 7.05% |
| 4 | Tyre condition | 6.97% |
| 5 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 6.45% |
| 6 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 6.16% |
| 7 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 5.52% |
| 8 | Headlamp aim defect | 4.57% |
| 9 | Brake performance below minimum | 4.39% |
| 10 | Brake pads or linings worn | 4.36% |
| 11 | Number plate lamp not working | 3.94% |
| 12 | Driveshaft fault | 2.90% |
| 13 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 2.47% |
| 14 | Track rod end worn | 2.03% |
| 15 | Position lamp not working | 1.92% |
| 16 | Rear lamp not working | 1.90% |
| 17 | Stop lamp not working | 1.78% |
| 18 | Windscreen washer not working | 1.71% |
| 19 | Brake disc or drum worn | 1.66% |
| 20 | Exhaust system fault | 1.26% |
| 21 | Ball joint dust cover split | 1.24% |
| 22 | Steering rack fault | 1.08% |
| 23 | Indicator fault | 0.96% |
| 24 | Parking brake condition | 0.84% |
| 25 | Airbag warning light on | 0.78% |
| 26 | Seat belt condition | 0.77% |
| 27 | Fog lamp not working | 0.73% |
| 28 | Headlamp fault | 0.72% |
| 29 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.67% |
| 30 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.64% |
| 31 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.61% |
| 32 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 0.54% |
| 33 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.51% |
| 34 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.47% |
| 35 | ABS fault | 0.43% |
| 36 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.38% |
| 37 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.36% |
| 38 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.35% |
| 39 | Electrical switch fault | 0.32% |
| 40 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.31% |
| 41 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.31% |
| 42 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.30% |
| 43 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.29% |
| 44 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.27% |
| 45 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.27% |
| 46 | Horn not working | 0.24% |
| 47 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.23% |
| 48 | Brake caliper fault | 0.22% |
| 49 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.20% |
| 50 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.18% |
| 51 | Brake lever fault | 0.17% |
| 52 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.16% |
| 53 | Front suspension fault | 0.16% |
| 54 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.16% |
| 55 | Brake fluid leak | 0.14% |
| 56 | Brake pedal fault | 0.13% |
| 57 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.12% |
| 58 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.09% |
| 59 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.09% |
| 60 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.09% |
| 61 | Outline marker lamp not working | 0.08% |
| 62 | Rear suspension fault | 0.08% |
| 63 | Chassis condition | 0.06% |
| 64 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.06% |
| 65 | Headlamp washer not working | 0.05% |
| 66 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.05% |
| 67 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.05% |
| 68 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.05% |
| 69 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.05% |
| 70 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.04% |
| 71 | Driver airbag fault | 0.04% |
| 72 | Steering operation fault | 0.04% |
| 73 | Steering free play excessive | 0.04% |
| 74 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.04% |
| 75 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.04% |
| 76 | Steering lock fault | 0.04% |
| 77 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.04% |
| 78 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.04% |
| 79 | Body security fault | 0.04% |
| 80 | Steering arm worn | 0.03% |
| 81 | Engine oil leak | 0.03% |
| 82 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.03% |
| 83 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.03% |
| 84 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.03% |
| 85 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.03% |
| 86 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.03% |
| 87 | CV joint worn | 0.03% |
| 88 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | 0.02% |
| 89 | Drag link end worn | 0.02% |
| 90 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.02% |
| 91 | Front passenger door fault | 0.02% |
| 92 | Propshaft fault | 0.02% |
| 93 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.02% |
| 94 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 95 | Driver door fault | 0.02% |
| 96 | Steering column fault | 0.02% |
| 97 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.02% |
| 98 | Towbar fault | 0.01% |
| 99 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 100 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.01% |
| 101 | Access panel damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 102 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.01% |
| 103 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 104 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 105 | Engine mounting worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 106 | King pin or swivel pin worn | <0.01% |
| 107 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 108 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 109 | Suspension unit fault | <0.01% |
| 110 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 111 | Subframe corrosion or damage | <0.01% |
| 112 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 113 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 114 | Passenger seat fault | <0.01% |
| 115 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 116 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 117 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 118 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 119 | Exhaust leak | <0.01% |
| 120 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 121 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 122 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | <0.01% |
| 123 | Power steering ram fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 125 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 126 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 127 | Power steering pump fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Spring mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 130 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 131 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 134 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 135 | Driver seat fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 138 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 139 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 140 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 143 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 144 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 147 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 149 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 151 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 152 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 153 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 156 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 157 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 158 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 159 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 161 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 162 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 163 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 164 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 165 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 166 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 167 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 168 | Dropside damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 169 | Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 170 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 171 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 172 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 173 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 174 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 175 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 176 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 177 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 178 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 179 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 180 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 181 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 182 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 183 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
Showing all 183 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Volvo V40 MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Volvo V40, 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.
Join as a car owner — free
Get MOT reminders, a pre-MOT checklist, and tools to compare garages near you.
MOT Reminders
Free email alerts 28 and 7 days before your MOT expires.
44-Point MOT Checklist
Printable checklist to inspect your car before the test.
Save Favourite Garages
Save garages you trust and compare their ratings side by side.
Already a member? Sign in
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Volvo V40 problems?
Based on analysis of 1.3M Volvo V40 MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 6 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 V40 generation has the most problems?
The Volvo V40 Mk2 (2012-2019) (2012–2019) has the highest number of identified common problems (5). 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 V40?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Volvo V40 owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
Search Vehicles With Common Problems
Find common car problems, MOT failures, and advisories for any make and model
