1999 Volvo V40 — MOT failures & pass rate
1,593 MOT tests on the 1999 Volvo V40 are in this dataset, and 68.9% of them passed. Against small family cars of a similar age (27.4% fail rate), the 1999 V40 comes out 3.7pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.4% of tests against 12.2% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, headlamp aim and catalyst emissions — position lamp alone was recorded 193 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 21.4% in the 30-60k band and 36.1% in the 150k+ band, a 14.7-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 40.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 33.8% in 2021 to 26.3% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 22.4% | 356 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.2% | 195 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.7% | 186 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.0% | 128 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.8% | 109 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.5% | 104 |
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 | 193 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 154 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 118 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 97 |
| 5 | Wipers | 93 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 87 |
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 | 40.0% | 637 |
| 2 | Suspension | 31.4% | 501 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.2% | 401 |
| 4 | Other defects | 21.3% | 339 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.8% | 284 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 17.3% | 275 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 196 | 21.4% |
| 60-90k | 401 | 28.4% |
| 90-120k | 451 | 32.4% |
| 120-150k | 331 | 35.4% |
| 150k+ | 213 | 36.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,530 | 31.4% |
| Diesel | 63 | 25.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 529 | 33.8% |
| 2022 | 394 | 28.2% |
| 2023 | 297 | 32.3% |
| 2024 | 217 | 31.8% |
| 2025 | 156 | 26.3% |
What to check before buying a 1999 V40
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 22.4% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (22.4% 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 (11.7% 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 1999 Volvo V40s pass their MOT?
68.9% of the 1,593 1999 Volvo V40 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 Volvo V40?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.4% of tests, followed by suspension (12.2%).
Does the 1999 V40 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.4% in the 30-60k band to 36.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,593 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.