2021 Volvo Xc40 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 22,594 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Volvo Xc40, the most common recorded failure areas were brakes, tyres and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 92.2% was in line with the average for small SUVs of a similar age (93.0%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 10.3% in the 90-120k group versus 5.3% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 4.0% | 893 |
| 2 | Tyres | 3.3% | 752 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.1% | 257 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.1% | 245 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.3% | 60 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.3% | 58 |
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 | 956 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 406 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 218 |
| 4 | Wipers | 210 |
| 5 | Brake discs | 75 |
| 6 | Washers | 58 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 19.5% | 4,396 |
| 2 | Tyres | 19.4% | 4,386 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.5% | 1,459 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.9% | 664 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.5% | 122 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.4% | 98 |
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 | 12,635 | 5.3% |
| 30-60k | 9,161 | 10.8% |
| 60-90k | 732 | 13.1% |
| 90-120k | 58 | 10.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 22,426 | 7.8% |
| Diesel | 94 | 6.4% |
| Hybrid | 58 | 6.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 489 | 6.5% |
| 2024 | 11,073 | 7.8% |
| 2025 | 11,014 | 7.8% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Xc40
Before buying a 2021 Volvo Xc40, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Brakes accounted for 4.0% of tests for this year.
- Brakes (4.0% 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 (3.3% 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 2021 Volvo Xc40s pass their MOT?
92.2% of the 22,594 2021 Volvo Xc40 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Volvo Xc40?
Brakes, recorded in 4.0% of tests, followed by tyres (3.3%).
Does the 2021 Xc40 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.3% in the 0-30k band to 10.3% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 22,594 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.