1999 Volvo S40: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1999 Volvo S40?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1999 Volvo S40 than on all cars registered in 1999.

• Number plate lights2.9× usual
  Volvo S40

  15.3% All 1999 cars

  5.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.9%, against 1.3% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

• Seat belts5.2× usual
  Volvo S40

  9.9% All 1999 cars

  1.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.5% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£250 our estimate

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock and retract smoothly.

• Sidelights2.8× usual
  Volvo S40

  12.6% All 1999 cars

  4.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 9.1%, against 3.8% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Brake pads2.2× usual
  Volvo S40

  10.6% All 1999 cars

  4.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 1% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

• Headlight aim2.2× usual
  Volvo S40

  10.4% All 1999 cars

  4.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 10.4%, against 4.7% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £20–£60 our estimate

  At the viewing: Park facing a wall at night or in a garage and check both headlight beams sit level. Aim is a cheap adjustment.

Common 1999 Volvo S40 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1999 Volvo S40 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Lights and electrics
  49% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Brakes
  46% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Suspension
  39% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Tyres
  28% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Exhaust and emissions
  14% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  9% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1999 Volvo S40

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the 1999 Volvo S40 as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the seat belts? (Flagged at MOT 5.2× as often on the 1999 Volvo S40 as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the sidelights? (Flagged at MOT 2.8× as often on the 1999 Volvo S40 as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?