2002 Volvo V40 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 5,977 MOT tests analysed for the 2002 Volvo V40, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 68.5% was below the average for small family cars of a similar age (71.7%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 35.2% in the 150k+ group versus 16.1% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.8% | 1,125 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.7% | 996 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.0% | 720 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.6% | 454 |
| 5 | Steering | 6.1% | 365 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.0% | 357 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 585 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 385 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 305 |
| 4 | Ball joint dust cover | 304 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 300 |
| 6 | Wipers | 276 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 40.9% | 2,445 |
| 2 | Suspension | 38.4% | 2,293 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.3% | 1,689 |
| 4 | Other defects | 16.6% | 992 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.4% | 980 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 15.6% | 935 |
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 | 31 | 16.1% |
| 30-60k | 408 | 20.6% |
| 60-90k | 905 | 26.5% |
| 90-120k | 1,473 | 30.9% |
| 120-150k | 1,620 | 34.3% |
| 150k+ | 1,537 | 35.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 4,283 | 31.2% |
| Diesel | 1,694 | 32.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,885 | 32.7% |
| 2022 | 1,441 | 31.6% |
| 2023 | 1,101 | 30.6% |
| 2024 | 861 | 30.2% |
| 2025 | 689 | 31.1% |
What to check before buying a 2002 V40
Before buying a 2002 Volvo V40, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 18.8% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (18.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.7% 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.
- Brakes (12.0% 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 2002 Volvo V40s pass their MOT?
68.5% of the 5,977 2002 Volvo V40 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Volvo V40?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.8% of tests, followed by suspension (16.7%).
Does the 2002 V40 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.1% in the 0-30k band to 35.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,977 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.