1997 Volvo S40 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 627 MOT tests, the 1997 Volvo S40 recorded a 70.3% pass rate. Small family cars of a similar age fail 26.5% of the time, so this is 3.1pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 22.0% of all tests — 12.0 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, headlamp aim and catalyst emissions — position lamp alone was recorded 71 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 45.8% versus 21.9%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 36.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 31.2% in 2021 to 21.7% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 22.0% | 138 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.1% | 63 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.9% | 56 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 7.8% | 49 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.8% | 49 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.6% | 29 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 71 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 59 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 55 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 46 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 35 |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 28 |
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 | 36.8% | 231 |
| 2 | Suspension | 32.5% | 204 |
| 3 | Tyres | 26.3% | 165 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 24.6% | 154 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.5% | 110 |
| 6 | Other defects | 17.4% | 109 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 119 | 21.9% |
| 60-90k | 168 | 26.8% |
| 90-120k | 197 | 29.4% |
| 120-150k | 79 | 38.0% |
| 150k+ | 59 | 45.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 202 | 31.2% |
| 2022 | 153 | 31.4% |
| 2023 | 116 | 30.2% |
| 2024 | 87 | 28.7% |
| 2025 | 69 | 21.7% |
What to check before buying a 1997 S40
On a 1997 S40, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 22.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (22.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (10.1% 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.
- Suspension (8.9% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
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 1997 Volvo S40s pass their MOT?
70.3% of the 627 1997 Volvo S40 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1997 Volvo S40?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.0% of tests, followed by brakes (10.1%).
Does the 1997 S40 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.9% in the 30-60k band to 45.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 627 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.