2021 Volvo Xc40 R- B4 Mhev Auto — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,563 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Volvo Xc40 R- B4 Mhev Auto, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility. Its pass rate of 95.2% was above the average for cars of a similar age (91.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 13.9% in the 60-90k group versus 2.9% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.5% | 123 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 0.7% | 26 |
| 3 | Visibility | 0.7% | 26 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.5% | 19 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.3% | 11 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.3% | 11 |
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 | 41 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 24 |
| 3 | Wipers | 22 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 18 |
| 5 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 7 |
| 6 | Linkage | 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 | 18.3% | 651 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.2% | 291 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.3% | 188 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.0% | 108 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.7% | 24 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.3% | 12 |
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 | 1,931 | 2.9% |
| 30-60k | 1,502 | 6.6% |
| 60-90k | 122 | 13.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 47 | 2.1% |
| 2024 | 1,734 | 4.6% |
| 2025 | 1,781 | 5.1% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Xc40 R- B4 Mhev Auto
Before buying a 2021 Volvo Xc40 R- B4 Mhev Auto, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 3.5% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (3.5% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (0.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (0.7% 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 R- B4 Mhev Autos pass their MOT?
95.2% of the 3,563 2021 Volvo Xc40 R- B4 Mhev Auto MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 4.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Volvo Xc40 R- B4 Mhev Auto?
Tyres, recorded in 3.5% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (0.7%).
Does the 2021 Xc40 R- B4 Mhev Auto get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 2.9% in the 0-30k band to 13.9% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,563 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.