2021 Volvo XC40 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 54,161 MOT tests, the 2021 Volvo XC40 recorded a 93.0% pass rate. That is effectively the same as small SUVs of a similar age (7.2% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.2%) and brakes (1.9%) 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 1,076 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2021 XC40 fails 5.1% of the time in the 0-30k band and 6.9% at 120-150k, a spread of only 1.8 points.
The hybrid cars hold up better: 5.9% fail against 10.2% for electric, a 4.3-point gap across 31,441 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 20.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.2% | 2,259 |
| 2 | Brakes | 1.9% | 1,054 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.1% | 610 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.1% | 590 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.3% | 148 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.3% | 145 |
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 | 1,076 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 806 |
| 3 | Wipers | 517 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 500 |
| 5 | Washers | 144 |
| 6 | Joints | 129 |
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 | 20.0% | 10,836 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.5% | 6,243 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.2% | 3,376 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.9% | 1,596 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.4% | 242 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.4% | 209 |
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 | 28,539 | 5.1% |
| 30-60k | 22,356 | 8.9% |
| 60-90k | 2,799 | 9.6% |
| 90-120k | 396 | 10.9% |
| 120-150k | 58 | 6.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 27,627 | 5.9% |
| Petrol | 22,626 | 7.8% |
| Electric | 3,814 | 10.2% |
| Diesel | 94 | 6.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 990 | 6.1% |
| 2024 | 26,583 | 6.9% |
| 2025 | 26,565 | 7.0% |
What to check before buying a 2021 XC40
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 4.2% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (4.2% 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 (1.9% 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 2021 Volvo XC40s pass their MOT?
93.0% of the 54,161 2021 Volvo XC40 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Volvo XC40?
Tyres, recorded in 4.2% of tests, followed by brakes (1.9%).
Does the 2021 XC40 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.1% in the 0-30k band to 6.9% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 54,161 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.