1999 Volvo S40 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,283 MOT tests, the 1999 Volvo S40 recorded a 71.3% pass rate. Against small family cars of a similar age (27.4% fail rate), the 1999 S40 comes out 1.2pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 22.1% of all tests — 9.2 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, position lamp and component mounting prescribed areas — headlamp aim alone was recorded 124 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 21.2% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 32.0% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 38.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 28.4% in 2021 to 26.5% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 22.1% | 283 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.9% | 165 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.7% | 137 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.2% | 93 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.3% | 81 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.8% | 74 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 124 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 115 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 83 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 76 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 76 |
| 6 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 61 |
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 | 38.4% | 493 |
| 2 | Suspension | 27.4% | 351 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.0% | 321 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 22.1% | 284 |
| 5 | Other defects | 13.7% | 176 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.2% | 157 |
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 | 179 | 21.2% |
| 60-90k | 399 | 27.6% |
| 90-120k | 362 | 30.4% |
| 120-150k | 196 | 34.2% |
| 150k+ | 125 | 32.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 422 | 28.4% |
| 2022 | 325 | 27.7% |
| 2023 | 244 | 29.9% |
| 2024 | 171 | 31.0% |
| 2025 | 121 | 26.5% |
What to check before buying a 1999 S40
On a 1999 S40, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 22.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (22.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.9% 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.
- Brakes (10.7% 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.
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 1999 Volvo S40s pass their MOT?
71.3% of the 1,283 1999 Volvo S40 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 Volvo S40?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.1% of tests, followed by suspension (12.9%).
Does the 1999 S40 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.2% in the 30-60k band to 32.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,283 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.