2020 Volvo Xc40 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 53,246 MOT tests analysed for the 2020 Volvo Xc40, the most common recorded failure areas were brakes, tyres and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 92.0% was in line with the average for small SUVs of a similar age (92.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 14.0% in the 120-150k group versus 5.4% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 3.8% | 2,045 |
| 2 | Tyres | 3.3% | 1,776 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.1% | 593 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.1% | 563 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.5% | 257 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.3% | 132 |
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 | 2,240 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 817 |
| 3 | Wipers | 491 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 478 |
| 5 | Brake discs | 192 |
| 6 | Linkage | 145 |
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 | 19.9% | 10,618 |
| 2 | Brakes | 17.8% | 9,481 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.9% | 3,163 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.7% | 1,433 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.5% | 276 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.4% | 193 |
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 | 26,801 | 5.4% |
| 30-60k | 23,052 | 10.4% |
| 60-90k | 2,933 | 11.4% |
| 90-120k | 395 | 11.9% |
| 120-150k | 57 | 14.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 43,975 | 7.8% |
| Diesel | 9,208 | 8.6% |
| Hybrid | 62 | 12.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 455 | 5.7% |
| 2023 | 17,715 | 7.5% |
| 2024 | 17,359 | 7.6% |
| 2025 | 17,712 | 8.8% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Xc40
Before buying a 2020 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 (3.3% 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 (1.1% 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?
92.0% of the 53,246 2020 Volvo Xc40 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Volvo Xc40?
Brakes, recorded in 3.8% of tests, followed by tyres (3.3%).
Does the 2020 Xc40 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.4% in the 0-30k band to 14.0% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 53,246 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.