2018 Volvo Xc40 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 36,060 MOT tests analysed for the 2018 Volvo Xc40, the most common recorded failure areas were brakes, tyres and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 91.4% was above the average for small SUVs of a similar age (90.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 14.8% in the 120-150k group versus 5.9% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 3.8% | 1,384 |
| 2 | Tyres | 3.8% | 1,364 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.3% | 451 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.1% | 385 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.8% | 271 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.4% | 136 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake pads | 1,511 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 531 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 369 |
| 4 | Wipers | 339 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 226 |
| 6 | Brake discs | 149 |
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 | 20.9% | 7,537 |
| 2 | Brakes | 17.6% | 6,361 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.6% | 2,011 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.6% | 927 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.7% | 248 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.5% | 166 |
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 | 13,477 | 5.9% |
| 30-60k | 16,918 | 9.4% |
| 60-90k | 4,696 | 11.7% |
| 90-120k | 820 | 15.1% |
| 120-150k | 122 | 14.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 18,859 | 8.2% |
| Diesel | 17,201 | 8.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7,137 | 7.3% |
| 2022 | 7,178 | 7.4% |
| 2023 | 7,145 | 7.8% |
| 2024 | 7,254 | 9.9% |
| 2025 | 7,346 | 10.3% |
What to check before buying a 2018 Xc40
Before buying a 2018 Volvo Xc40, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Brakes accounted for 3.8% of tests for this year.
- Brakes (3.8% 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.
- Tyres (3.8% 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 (1.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£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 2018 Volvo Xc40s pass their MOT?
91.4% of the 36,060 2018 Volvo Xc40 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 Volvo Xc40?
Brakes, recorded in 3.8% of tests, followed by tyres (3.8%).
Does the 2018 Xc40 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.9% in the 0-30k band to 14.8% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 36,060 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.