2021 Volvo Xc40 First P8 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,231 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Volvo Xc40 First P8, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, body, structure & corrosion and visibility. Its pass rate of 88.2% was below the average for cars of a similar age (91.2%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 9.0% | 111 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.2% | 27 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.5% | 19 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 1.2% | 15 |
| 5 | Road wheels | 0.3% | 4 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.2% | 2 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 31 |
| 2 | Wipers | 19 |
| 3 | Headlamp cleaning device | 8 |
| 4 | Size/type | 8 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 7 |
| 6 | Washers | 6 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 24.1% | 297 |
| 2 | Other defects | 5.0% | 62 |
| 3 | Brakes | 3.1% | 38 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.4% | 30 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.8% | 10 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.5% | 6 |
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 | 696 | 10.1% |
| 30-60k | 498 | 13.9% |
| 60-90k | 34 | 14.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 580 | 10.2% |
| 2025 | 624 | 13.0% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Xc40 First P8
Before buying a 2021 Volvo Xc40 First P8, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 9.0% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (9.0% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Body, structure & corrosion (2.2% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
- Visibility (1.5% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
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 2021 Volvo Xc40 First P8s pass their MOT?
88.2% of the 1,231 2021 Volvo Xc40 First P8 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Volvo Xc40 First P8?
Tyres, recorded in 9.0% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (2.2%).
Does the 2021 Xc40 First P8 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.1% in the 0-30k band to 14.7% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,231 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.