2004 Volvo S40 petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2004 Volvo S40 petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2004 Volvo S40 petrol than on all cars registered in 2004.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.3× usual
  Volvo S40

  15.5% All 2004 cars

  6.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.9%, against 3% of all 2004 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.

• Individual direction indicators2× usual
  Volvo S40

  6.9% All 2004 cars

  3.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 1.5% of all 2004 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 belts2.6× usual
  Volvo S40

  4.1% All 2004 cars

  1.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.6% of all 2004 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.

• Steering rack2.5× usual
  Volvo S40

  4.2% All 2004 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 1% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Common 2004 Volvo S40 petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2004 Volvo S40 petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  42% 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.

• Brakes
  39% 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
  38% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• 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
  16% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

• Exhaust and emissions
  10% 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 an engine warning light.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2004 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 drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2004 Volvo S40 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the individual direction indicators? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2004 Volvo S40 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the seat belts? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the 2004 Volvo S40 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?