2003 Volvo S40 petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2003 Volvo S40 petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2003 Volvo S40 petrol than on all cars registered in 2003.

• Ball joint dust cover2.9× usual
  Volvo S40

  13.7% All 2003 cars

  4.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.5%, against 1.7% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.2× usual
  Volvo S40

  14.7% All 2003 cars

  6.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.8%, against 2.9% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

• Sidelights2.2× usual
  Volvo S40

  13.5% All 2003 cars

  6.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 9.3%, against 5.5% of all 2003 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.

• Seat belts5× usual
  Volvo S40

  8.5% All 2003 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.6% of all 2003 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.

• Number plate lights1.7× usual
  Volvo S40

  13.3% All 2003 cars

  7.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 2.2% of all 2003 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.

Common 2003 Volvo S40 petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2003 Volvo S40 petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  47% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  44% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Suspension
  44% 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
  31% 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.

• Driveshafts and joints
  15% of testsRough price £60–£350

  At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  11% 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 2003 Volvo S40 petrol

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

1. Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the 2003 Volvo S40 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2003 Volvo S40 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the sidelights? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2003 Volvo S40 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?