2020 Volvo XC40 — MOT failures & pass rate
79,229 MOT tests on the 2020 Volvo XC40 are in this dataset, and 92.6% of them passed. Small SUVs of a similar age fail at 8.0%, so the 2020 XC40 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (3.6%) and brakes (2.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are brake pads, tread depth and wipers — brake pads alone was recorded 2,393 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 10.9% versus 5.2%.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.5pp more often than hybrid ones (8.6% vs 6.2%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 20.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 5.8% of tests failed in 2022 against 8.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.6% | 2,861 |
| 2 | Brakes | 2.8% | 2,235 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.1% | 889 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.1% | 849 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.4% | 357 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.3% | 218 |
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 | 2,393 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 1,155 |
| 3 | Wipers | 724 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 709 |
| 5 | Brake discs | 225 |
| 6 | Washers | 206 |
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 | 20.1% | 15,917 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.2% | 11,217 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.9% | 4,713 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.7% | 2,161 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.5% | 407 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.4% | 284 |
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 | 39,169 | 5.2% |
| 30-60k | 34,116 | 9.3% |
| 60-90k | 5,058 | 10.9% |
| 90-120k | 757 | 10.7% |
| 120-150k | 110 | 10.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 44,343 | 7.8% |
| Hybrid | 25,675 | 6.2% |
| Diesel | 9,210 | 8.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 486 | 5.8% |
| 2023 | 26,429 | 7.0% |
| 2024 | 25,938 | 7.1% |
| 2025 | 26,371 | 8.0% |
What to check before buying a 2020 XC40
On a 2020 XC40, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 3.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (3.6% 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.
- Brakes (2.8% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.1% 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 2020 Volvo XC40s pass their MOT?
92.6% of the 79,229 2020 Volvo XC40 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Volvo XC40?
Tyres, recorded in 3.6% of tests, followed by brakes (2.8%).
Does the 2020 XC40 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.2% in the 0-30k band to 10.9% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 79,229 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.