2021 Volvo Xc40 R- T4 Recharge Auto — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,784 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Volvo Xc40 R- T4 Recharge Auto, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility. Its pass rate of 93.9% was above the average for cars of a similar age (91.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 11.1% in the 90-120k group versus 4.5% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.3% | 164 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.5% | 55 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.4% | 53 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.5% | 18 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.4% | 16 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.3% | 10 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 70 |
| 2 | Wipers | 51 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 41 |
| 4 | Washers | 14 |
| 5 | Attachment | 10 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 10 |
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 | 21.8% | 826 |
| 2 | Other defects | 7.9% | 299 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.3% | 240 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.9% | 149 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.5% | 21 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.4% | 14 |
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 | 1,257 | 4.5% |
| 30-60k | 1,847 | 6.6% |
| 60-90k | 528 | 6.6% |
| 90-120k | 126 | 11.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 47 | 6.4% |
| 2024 | 1,918 | 6.2% |
| 2025 | 1,819 | 6.0% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Xc40 R- T4 Recharge Auto
Before buying a 2021 Volvo Xc40 R- T4 Recharge Auto, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 4.3% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (4.3% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (1.4% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
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 2021 Volvo Xc40 R- T4 Recharge Autos pass their MOT?
93.9% of the 3,784 2021 Volvo Xc40 R- T4 Recharge Auto MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 6.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Volvo Xc40 R- T4 Recharge Auto?
Tyres, recorded in 4.3% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.5%).
Does the 2021 Xc40 R- T4 Recharge Auto get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.5% in the 0-30k band to 11.1% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,784 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.