2019 Volvo V40 — MOT failures & pass rate
37,695 MOT tests on the 2019 Volvo V40 are in this dataset, and 88.1% of them passed. Small family cars of a similar age fail 9.6% of the time, so this is 2.3pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 6.9% of tests against 2.9% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, brake pads and tread depth — coil spring alone was recorded 1,027 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.8% in the 0-30k band and 15.5% in the 120-150k band, a 6.7-point spread.
The petrol cars hold up better: 11.5% fail against 13.5% for diesel, a 2.0-point gap across 37,695 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 24.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 6.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 14.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.9% | 2,606 |
| 2 | Suspension | 2.9% | 1,074 |
| 3 | Brakes | 2.4% | 893 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.6% | 596 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 1.4% | 539 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.4% | 147 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 1,027 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 832 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 649 |
| 4 | Wipers | 488 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 457 |
| 6 | Washers | 166 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 24.3% | 9,172 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.6% | 4,739 |
| 3 | Other defects | 4.5% | 1,693 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.1% | 802 |
| 5 | Road wheels | 1.7% | 626 |
| 6 | Suspension | 1.6% | 619 |
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 | 18,665 | 8.8% |
| 30-60k | 15,541 | 14.6% |
| 60-90k | 2,946 | 16.7% |
| 90-120k | 442 | 16.1% |
| 120-150k | 71 | 15.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 29,293 | 11.5% |
| Diesel | 8,402 | 13.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 445 | 6.7% |
| 2022 | 9,184 | 8.7% |
| 2023 | 9,284 | 10.8% |
| 2024 | 9,270 | 13.4% |
| 2025 | 9,512 | 14.9% |
What to check before buying a 2019 V40
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 6.9% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (6.9% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Suspension (2.9% 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 (2.4% 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 2019 Volvo V40s pass their MOT?
88.1% of the 37,695 2019 Volvo V40 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 Volvo V40?
Tyres, recorded in 6.9% of tests, followed by suspension (2.9%).
Does the 2019 V40 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.8% in the 0-30k band to 15.5% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 37,695 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.