2001 Volvo S40 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2001 Volvo S40 passed 72.1% of its 2,738 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as small family cars of a similar age (27.9% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.1% of tests against 12.7% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, headlamp aim and rigid brake pipes — position lamp alone was recorded 217 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 19.4% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 34.5% once past 150k.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 39.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 28.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 29.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.1% | 497 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.7% | 347 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.1% | 277 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.7% | 184 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.5% | 152 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.7% | 128 |
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 | 217 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 161 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 143 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 140 |
| 5 | Wipers | 124 |
| 6 | Joints | 111 |
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 | 39.9% | 1,093 |
| 2 | Suspension | 31.9% | 874 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.8% | 707 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 18.5% | 507 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.4% | 368 |
| 6 | Other defects | 13.2% | 362 |
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 | 36 | 19.4% |
| 30-60k | 396 | 24.0% |
| 60-90k | 750 | 26.1% |
| 90-120k | 821 | 29.1% |
| 120-150k | 426 | 28.2% |
| 150k+ | 304 | 34.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 2,573 | 28.0% |
| Diesel | 165 | 26.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 828 | 28.1% |
| 2022 | 642 | 26.5% |
| 2023 | 511 | 27.0% |
| 2024 | 416 | 29.1% |
| 2025 | 341 | 29.9% |
What to check before buying a 2001 S40
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 18.1% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (18.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.7% 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 (10.1% 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.
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 2001 Volvo S40s pass their MOT?
72.1% of the 2,738 2001 Volvo S40 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Volvo S40?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.1% of tests, followed by suspension (12.7%).
Does the 2001 S40 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.4% in the 0-30k band to 34.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,738 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.