2019 Volvo Xc40 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 66,251 MOT tests analysed for the 2019 Volvo Xc40, the most common recorded failure areas were brakes, tyres and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 91.3% was in line with the average for small SUVs of a similar age (91.3%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 13.2% in the 150k+ group versus 5.8% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 4.1% | 2,728 |
| 2 | Tyres | 3.8% | 2,484 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.1% | 739 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.1% | 712 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.6% | 423 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.5% | 339 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake pads | 3,014 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 901 |
| 3 | Wipers | 646 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 634 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 273 |
| 6 | Linkage | 263 |
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 | 20.5% | 13,610 |
| 2 | Brakes | 17.8% | 11,822 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.0% | 3,969 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.6% | 1,712 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.5% | 318 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.4% | 234 |
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 | 28,460 | 5.8% |
| 30-60k | 29,476 | 10.3% |
| 60-90k | 6,854 | 13.1% |
| 90-120k | 1,196 | 14.3% |
| 120-150k | 227 | 11.9% |
| 150k+ | 38 | 13.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 42,017 | 8.1% |
| Diesel | 24,234 | 9.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 364 | 6.3% |
| 2022 | 16,519 | 7.4% |
| 2023 | 16,482 | 8.1% |
| 2024 | 16,349 | 9.2% |
| 2025 | 16,537 | 10.2% |
What to check before buying a 2019 Xc40
Before buying a 2019 Volvo Xc40, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Brakes accounted for 4.1% of tests for this year.
- Brakes (4.1% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Tyres (3.8% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.1% 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 2019 Volvo Xc40s pass their MOT?
91.3% of the 66,251 2019 Volvo Xc40 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 Volvo Xc40?
Brakes, recorded in 4.1% of tests, followed by tyres (3.8%).
Does the 2019 Xc40 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.8% in the 0-30k band to 13.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 66,251 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.