2022 Volvo XC40 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2022 Volvo XC40 passed 94.1% of its 18,348 recorded MOT tests. Small SUVs of a similar age fail at 6.6%, so the 2022 XC40 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.1%) and lighting & signalling (1.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, headlamp aim and brake pads — tread depth alone was recorded 256 times.
A 90-120k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 14.1% versus 4.7%.
Split by fuel, electric examples fail 3.2pp more often than hybrid ones (8.2% vs 4.9%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 19.2% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.1% | 759 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.3% | 238 |
| 3 | Brakes | 1.1% | 203 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.0% | 182 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.2% | 43 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.2% | 29 |
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 | 256 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 251 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 212 |
| 4 | Wipers | 155 |
| 5 | Washers | 47 |
| 6 | Registration plates | 44 |
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 | 19.2% | 3,526 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.3% | 1,344 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.0% | 1,106 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.5% | 465 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.4% | 67 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.2% | 43 |
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 | 11,289 | 4.7% |
| 30-60k | 6,194 | 7.7% |
| 60-90k | 746 | 9.1% |
| 90-120k | 106 | 14.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 11,082 | 4.9% |
| Petrol | 4,504 | 7.0% |
| Electric | 2,762 | 8.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 614 | 3.4% |
| 2025 | 17,723 | 6.0% |
What to check before buying a 2022 XC40
On a 2022 XC40, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (4.1% 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.
- Brakes (1.1% 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.
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 2022 Volvo XC40s pass their MOT?
94.1% of the 18,348 2022 Volvo XC40 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 5.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2022 Volvo XC40?
Tyres, recorded in 4.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.3%).
Does the 2022 XC40 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.7% in the 0-30k band to 14.1% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 18,348 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.