2021 Volvo Xc40 Inscription T4 Recharge A — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,678 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Volvo Xc40 Inscription T4 Recharge A, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 93.6% was above the average for cars of a similar age (91.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 15.2% in the 90-120k group versus 4.1% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.8% | 81 |
| 2 | Visibility | 1.1% | 18 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 0.9% | 15 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.7% | 11 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.6% | 10 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.2% | 4 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 30 |
| 2 | Wipers | 21 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 17 |
| 4 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 8 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 5 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 3 |
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 | 19.9% | 334 |
| 2 | Other defects | 6.3% | 105 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.0% | 101 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.9% | 66 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.6% | 10 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.4% | 7 |
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 | 686 | 4.1% |
| 30-60k | 733 | 7.5% |
| 60-90k | 210 | 8.6% |
| 90-120k | 46 | 15.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 829 | 5.9% |
| 2025 | 828 | 6.9% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Xc40 Inscription T4 Recharge A
Before buying a 2021 Volvo Xc40 Inscription T4 Recharge A, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 4.8% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (4.8% 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.
- Visibility (1.1% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (0.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£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 Inscription T4 Recharge As pass their MOT?
93.6% of the 1,678 2021 Volvo Xc40 Inscription T4 Recharge A MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 6.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Volvo Xc40 Inscription T4 Recharge A?
Tyres, recorded in 4.8% of tests, followed by visibility (1.1%).
Does the 2021 Xc40 Inscription T4 Recharge A get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.1% in the 0-30k band to 15.2% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,678 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.