2000 Volvo V40 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,452 MOT tests, the 2000 Volvo V40 recorded a 68.2% pass rate. Small family cars of a similar age fail 27.7% of the time, so this is 4.1pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.9% of tests against 14.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, headlamp aim and wipers — position lamp alone was recorded 218 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 22.5% in the 30-60k band and 36.1% in the 150k+ band, a 13.6-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 41.5% 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 | 18.9% | 463 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.1% | 345 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.0% | 295 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.6% | 187 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.6% | 186 |
| 6 | Steering | 7.3% | 179 |
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 | 218 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 207 |
| 3 | Wipers | 137 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 123 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 119 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 119 |
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 | 41.5% | 1,017 |
| 2 | Suspension | 36.4% | 893 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.0% | 687 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 19.0% | 465 |
| 5 | Other defects | 17.6% | 431 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.2% | 421 |
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 | 213 | 22.5% |
| 60-90k | 504 | 26.4% |
| 90-120k | 706 | 33.1% |
| 120-150k | 559 | 35.6% |
| 150k+ | 440 | 36.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 2,342 | 31.6% |
| Diesel | 110 | 35.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 772 | 31.9% |
| 2022 | 603 | 32.2% |
| 2023 | 468 | 30.6% |
| 2024 | 354 | 32.5% |
| 2025 | 255 | 32.2% |
What to check before buying a 2000 V40
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 18.9% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (18.9% 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 (12.0% 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 2000 Volvo V40s pass their MOT?
68.2% of the 2,452 2000 Volvo V40 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2000 Volvo V40?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.9% of tests, followed by suspension (14.1%).
Does the 2000 V40 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.5% in the 30-60k band to 36.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,452 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.