2023 Volvo XC40 — MOT failures & pass rate
879 MOT tests on the 2023 Volvo XC40 are in this dataset, and 96.0% of them passed. Small SUVs of a similar age fail 5.0% of the time, so this is 1.0pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (3.4%) and lighting & signalling (0.9%) 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 front fog lamps — tread depth alone was recorded 7 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 3.1% in the 0-30k band and 8.3% in the 60-90k band, a 5.2-point spread — more than double.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 16.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.4% | 30 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 0.9% | 8 |
| 3 | Visibility | 0.5% | 4 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.2% | 2 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.2% | 2 |
| 6 | Brakes | 0.2% | 2 |
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 | 7 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 5 |
| 3 | Front fog lamps | 2 |
| 4 | Washers | 2 |
| 5 | Wipers | 2 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 2 |
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 | 16.7% | 147 |
| 2 | Other defects | 4.3% | 38 |
| 3 | Brakes | 2.2% | 19 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.4% | 12 |
| 5 | Road wheels | 0.2% | 2 |
| 6 | Steering | 0.1% | 1 |
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 | 582 | 3.1% |
| 30-60k | 255 | 5.1% |
| 60-90k | 36 | 8.3% |
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 630 | 3.2% |
| Electric | 233 | 6.4% |
What to check before buying a 2023 XC40
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 3.4% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (3.4% 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 (0.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (0.5% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£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 2023 Volvo XC40s pass their MOT?
96.0% of the 879 2023 Volvo XC40 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 4.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2023 Volvo XC40?
Tyres, recorded in 3.4% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (0.9%).
Does the 2023 XC40 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 3.1% in the 0-30k band to 8.3% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 879 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.