2007 Volvo S40 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2007 Volvo S40 passed 73.2% of its 14,040 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as small family cars of a similar age (26.9% 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
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (14.3%) and suspension (14.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, pins and bushes and coil spring — position lamp alone was recorded 744 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 14.7% in the 0-30k band and 30.7% in the 150k+ band, a 16.0-point spread — more than double.
The petrol cars hold up better: 25.3% fail against 28.6% for diesel, a 3.2-point gap across 14,040 tests.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 31.7% 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 | 14.3% | 2,004 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.2% | 1,996 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.4% | 1,034 |
| 4 | Tyres | 7.1% | 1,004 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.3% | 739 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.3% | 600 |
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 | 744 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 711 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 677 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 601 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 540 |
| 6 | Joints | 517 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 31.7% | 4,450 |
| 2 | Tyres | 30.3% | 4,253 |
| 3 | Brakes | 25.2% | 3,543 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 14.2% | 1,997 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.4% | 1,885 |
| 6 | Other defects | 11.2% | 1,565 |
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 | 116 | 14.7% |
| 30-60k | 1,093 | 19.0% |
| 60-90k | 2,435 | 22.9% |
| 90-120k | 4,124 | 26.5% |
| 120-150k | 3,642 | 29.5% |
| 150k+ | 2,626 | 30.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 7,905 | 25.3% |
| Diesel | 6,135 | 28.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,609 | 26.5% |
| 2022 | 3,265 | 26.9% |
| 2023 | 2,817 | 26.9% |
| 2024 | 2,401 | 27.2% |
| 2025 | 1,948 | 26.3% |
What to check before buying a 2007 S40
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 14.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (14.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.2% 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 (7.4% 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 2007 Volvo S40s pass their MOT?
73.2% of the 14,040 2007 Volvo S40 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Volvo S40?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.3% of tests, followed by suspension (14.2%).
Does the 2007 S40 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.7% in the 0-30k band to 30.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 14,040 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.