2004 Volvo V40 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 6,835 MOT tests analysed for the 2004 Volvo V40, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension. Its pass rate of 67.7% was below the average for small family cars of a similar age (71.8%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 35.7% in the 150k+ group versus 9.1% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.2% | 1,380 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.0% | 958 |
| 3 | Suspension | 13.7% | 936 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.4% | 506 |
| 5 | Steering | 6.9% | 470 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.1% | 414 |
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 | 774 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 546 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 440 |
| 4 | Joints | 371 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 352 |
| 6 | Ball joint dust cover | 342 |
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 | 40.8% | 2,785 |
| 2 | Suspension | 31.5% | 2,152 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.2% | 1,860 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 17.3% | 1,183 |
| 5 | Other defects | 14.8% | 1,009 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.9% | 952 |
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 | 44 | 9.1% |
| 30-60k | 457 | 25.4% |
| 60-90k | 1,233 | 28.7% |
| 90-120k | 1,749 | 32.0% |
| 120-150k | 1,430 | 34.1% |
| 150k+ | 1,922 | 35.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 4,514 | 31.6% |
| Diesel | 2,321 | 33.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,947 | 31.8% |
| 2022 | 1,604 | 31.3% |
| 2023 | 1,365 | 33.7% |
| 2024 | 1,074 | 32.8% |
| 2025 | 845 | 32.2% |
What to check before buying a 2004 V40
Before buying a 2004 Volvo V40, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 20.2% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (20.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (14.0% 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.
- Suspension (13.7% 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.
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 2004 Volvo V40s pass their MOT?
67.7% of the 6,835 2004 Volvo V40 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Volvo V40?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.2% of tests, followed by brakes (14.0%).
Does the 2004 V40 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.1% in the 0-30k band to 35.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,835 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.