2000 Volvo S40 — MOT failures & pass rate
1,922 MOT tests on the 2000 Volvo S40 are in this dataset, and 72.0% of them passed. Small family cars of a similar age fail at 27.7%, so the 2000 S40 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 18.6% of all tests — 6.3 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, headlamp aim and headlamp — position lamp alone was recorded 181 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 25.6% in the 0-30k band and 36.4% in the 150k+ band, a 10.8-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 37.6% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.6% | 357 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.2% | 235 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.2% | 216 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.3% | 122 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.2% | 119 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.1% | 99 |
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 | 181 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 134 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 102 |
| 4 | Wipers | 101 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 100 |
| 6 | Ball joint dust cover | 82 |
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 | 37.6% | 722 |
| 2 | Suspension | 29.3% | 563 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.2% | 446 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 20.9% | 402 |
| 5 | Other defects | 12.1% | 233 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.0% | 231 |
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 | 43 | 25.6% |
| 30-60k | 317 | 21.4% |
| 60-90k | 602 | 27.6% |
| 90-120k | 547 | 28.5% |
| 120-150k | 256 | 31.3% |
| 150k+ | 151 | 36.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 609 | 27.6% |
| 2022 | 499 | 29.9% |
| 2023 | 347 | 24.5% |
| 2024 | 268 | 31.0% |
| 2025 | 199 | 26.6% |
What to check before buying a 2000 S40
On a 2000 S40, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (18.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.2% 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 (11.2% 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 2000 Volvo S40s pass their MOT?
72.0% of the 1,922 2000 Volvo S40 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2000 Volvo S40?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.6% of tests, followed by suspension (12.2%).
Does the 2000 S40 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.6% in the 0-30k band to 36.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,922 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.