2002 Volvo S40 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2002 Volvo S40 passed 70.3% of its 3,915 recorded MOT tests. Against small family cars of a similar age (28.0% fail rate), the 2002 S40 comes out 1.7pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 19.2% of all tests — 5.1 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, headlamp aim and coil spring — position lamp alone was recorded 359 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 15.2% in the 0-30k band and 33.4% in the 150k+ band, a 18.2-point spread — more than double.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 29.7% of the time against 29.8% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 41.1% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.2% | 753 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.1% | 552 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.3% | 481 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.8% | 267 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.1% | 239 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.5% | 216 |
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 | 359 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 250 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 210 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 200 |
| 5 | Wipers | 197 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 175 |
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 | 41.1% | 1,611 |
| 2 | Suspension | 32.8% | 1,282 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.5% | 999 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 18.3% | 716 |
| 5 | Other defects | 13.3% | 522 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.0% | 510 |
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 | 46 | 15.2% |
| 30-60k | 439 | 20.1% |
| 60-90k | 1,059 | 27.6% |
| 90-120k | 1,221 | 31.6% |
| 120-150k | 623 | 34.4% |
| 150k+ | 527 | 33.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 3,265 | 29.7% |
| Diesel | 650 | 29.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,209 | 29.0% |
| 2022 | 934 | 30.3% |
| 2023 | 731 | 29.0% |
| 2024 | 592 | 30.9% |
| 2025 | 449 | 29.8% |
What to check before buying a 2002 S40
On a 2002 S40, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 19.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (19.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.1% 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 (12.3% 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 2002 Volvo S40s pass their MOT?
70.3% of the 3,915 2002 Volvo S40 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Volvo S40?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.2% of tests, followed by suspension (14.1%).
Does the 2002 S40 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.2% in the 0-30k band to 33.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,915 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.