2003 Volvo S40 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 5,717 MOT tests, the 2003 Volvo S40 recorded a 69.8% pass rate. That is 2.1 percentage points worse than small family cars of a similar age, which fail at 28.1%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.6% of tests against 13.5% 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 534 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 14.8% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 35.1% once past 150k — 2.4× the risk.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 30.1% of the time against 30.2% for diesel.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 39.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.6% | 1,066 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.5% | 774 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.4% | 765 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.9% | 339 |
| 5 | Steering | 5.7% | 326 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.4% | 309 |
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 | 534 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 372 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 312 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 278 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 256 |
| 6 | Ball joint dust cover | 255 |
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 | 39.8% | 2,273 |
| 2 | Suspension | 29.7% | 1,696 |
| 3 | Tyres | 26.2% | 1,496 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 20.1% | 1,150 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.4% | 825 |
| 6 | Other defects | 13.9% | 794 |
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 | 81 | 14.8% |
| 30-60k | 717 | 22.3% |
| 60-90k | 1,443 | 27.4% |
| 90-120k | 1,593 | 33.4% |
| 120-150k | 1,017 | 31.5% |
| 150k+ | 861 | 35.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 4,485 | 30.1% |
| Diesel | 1,232 | 30.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,723 | 30.8% |
| 2022 | 1,325 | 28.7% |
| 2023 | 1,097 | 30.7% |
| 2024 | 885 | 30.9% |
| 2025 | 687 | 29.7% |
What to check before buying a 2003 S40
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 18.6% of tests. Start there.
- 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 (13.5% 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 (13.4% 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 2003 Volvo S40s pass their MOT?
69.8% of the 5,717 2003 Volvo S40 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Volvo S40?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.6% of tests, followed by suspension (13.5%).
Does the 2003 S40 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.8% in the 0-30k band to 35.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,717 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.