2006 Volvo S40 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 13,287 MOT tests analysed for the 2006 Volvo S40, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes. Its pass rate of 73.2% was below the average for cars of a similar age (74.4%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 30.4% in the 150k+ group versus 20.3% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 14.0% | 1,862 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 12.7% | 1,692 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.3% | 1,102 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.5% | 867 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.6% | 743 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.0% | 527 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pins and bushes | 599 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 591 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 574 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 541 |
| 5 | Joints | 511 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 457 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 33.7% | 4,481 |
| 2 | Tyres | 31.1% | 4,126 |
| 3 | Brakes | 25.7% | 3,408 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 13.5% | 1,799 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.7% | 1,691 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 10.8% | 1,436 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 172 | 20.3% |
| 30-60k | 959 | 18.7% |
| 60-90k | 2,694 | 24.5% |
| 90-120k | 3,481 | 26.5% |
| 120-150k | 3,317 | 28.6% |
| 150k+ | 2,660 | 30.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 7,786 | 25.7% |
| Diesel | 5,501 | 28.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,636 | 27.3% |
| 2022 | 3,109 | 26.8% |
| 2023 | 2,621 | 25.8% |
| 2024 | 2,197 | 27.7% |
| 2025 | 1,724 | 26.1% |
What to check before buying a 2006 S40
Before buying a 2006 Volvo S40, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 14.0% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (14.0% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Lighting & signalling (12.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (8.3% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2006 Volvo S40s pass their MOT?
73.2% of the 13,287 2006 Volvo S40 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Volvo S40?
Suspension, recorded in 14.0% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (12.7%).
Does the 2006 S40 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.3% in the 0-30k band to 30.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 13,287 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.