2021 Volvo Xc40 Rdesign Pro T5 Recharge A — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,608 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Volvo Xc40 Rdesign Pro T5 Recharge A, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility. Its pass rate of 92.2% was above the average for cars of a similar age (91.2%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.1% | 160 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.7% | 44 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.2% | 32 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.7% | 17 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.3% | 8 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.2% | 6 |
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 | 46 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 44 |
| 3 | Wipers | 28 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 12 |
| 5 | Registration plates | 11 |
| 6 | Headlamp cleaning device | 7 |
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 | 23.1% | 603 |
| 2 | Other defects | 6.4% | 167 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.2% | 136 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.1% | 81 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.7% | 19 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.5% | 13 |
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 | 1,142 | 7.1% |
| 30-60k | 1,186 | 7.9% |
| 60-90k | 243 | 9.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 35 | 2.9% |
| 2024 | 1,290 | 8.3% |
| 2025 | 1,283 | 7.4% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Xc40 Rdesign Pro T5 Recharge A
Before buying a 2021 Volvo Xc40 Rdesign Pro T5 Recharge A, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 6.1% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (6.1% 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 (1.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (1.2% 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 Rdesign Pro T5 Recharge As pass their MOT?
92.2% of the 2,608 2021 Volvo Xc40 Rdesign Pro T5 Recharge A MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Volvo Xc40 Rdesign Pro T5 Recharge A?
Tyres, recorded in 6.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.7%).
Does the 2021 Xc40 Rdesign Pro T5 Recharge A get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.1% in the 0-30k band to 9.5% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,608 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.