2001 Volvo V40 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 4,288 MOT tests analysed for the 2001 Volvo V40, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 69.9% was below the average for small family cars of a similar age (71.8%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 35.7% in the 150k+ group versus 17.1% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.6% | 711 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.1% | 646 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.1% | 520 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.3% | 315 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.4% | 274 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.5% | 238 |
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 | 339 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 312 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 224 |
| 4 | Wipers | 204 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 204 |
| 6 | Ball joint dust cover | 183 |
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 | 41.6% | 1,782 |
| 2 | Suspension | 32.2% | 1,382 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.8% | 1,190 |
| 4 | Other defects | 15.9% | 680 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.6% | 670 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 14.8% | 635 |
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 | 35 | 17.1% |
| 30-60k | 293 | 21.2% |
| 60-90k | 846 | 24.7% |
| 90-120k | 1,211 | 30.8% |
| 120-150k | 1,034 | 31.9% |
| 150k+ | 862 | 35.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 3,757 | 30.0% |
| Diesel | 531 | 30.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,287 | 29.8% |
| 2022 | 1,040 | 30.8% |
| 2023 | 813 | 30.3% |
| 2024 | 657 | 28.8% |
| 2025 | 491 | 31.0% |
What to check before buying a 2001 V40
Before buying a 2001 Volvo V40, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 16.6% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (16.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (15.1% 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 (12.1% 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 2001 Volvo V40s pass their MOT?
69.9% of the 4,288 2001 Volvo V40 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Volvo V40?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.6% of tests, followed by suspension (15.1%).
Does the 2001 V40 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.1% in the 0-30k band to 35.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,288 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.