2021 Volvo Xc40 Recharge Twin Ev — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,580 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Volvo Xc40 Recharge Twin Ev, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, visibility and body, structure & corrosion. Its pass rate of 90.1% 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 | 8.5% | 134 |
| 2 | Visibility | 1.3% | 21 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.9% | 14 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 0.5% | 8 |
| 5 | Other defects | 0.3% | 4 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.1% | 2 |
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 | 25 |
| 2 | Wipers | 21 |
| 3 | Joints | 15 |
| 4 | Size/type | 10 |
| 5 | Registration plates | 5 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 4 |
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 | 27.7% | 437 |
| 2 | Other defects | 6.5% | 102 |
| 3 | Brakes | 3.2% | 51 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.2% | 35 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.8% | 12 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 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 | 730 | 8.8% |
| 30-60k | 767 | 10.9% |
| 60-90k | 80 | 10.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 770 | 10.1% |
| 2025 | 808 | 9.7% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Xc40 Recharge Twin Ev
Before buying a 2021 Volvo Xc40 Recharge Twin Ev, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 8.5% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (8.5% 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.
- Visibility (1.3% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (0.9% 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+.
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 Recharge Twin Evs pass their MOT?
90.1% of the 1,580 2021 Volvo Xc40 Recharge Twin Ev MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Volvo Xc40 Recharge Twin Ev?
Tyres, recorded in 8.5% of tests, followed by visibility (1.3%).
Does the 2021 Xc40 Recharge Twin Ev get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.8% in the 0-30k band to 10.0% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,580 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.