Used car guide

2006 Volvo S40 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Volvo S40 first registered in 2006 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 1,893 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,893MOTs of 2006 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025
57%pass first time (all 2006 cars: 56%)
7,800typical miles a year
1.7×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2006 Volvo S40 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2006 Volvo S40 diesel than on all cars registered in 2006.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints1.7× usual
    Volvo S40
    12.7% All 2006 cars
    7.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.7%, against 3.3% of all 2006 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.

  • Handbrake performance2.2× usual
    Volvo S40
    2.9% All 2006 cars
    1.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 1.3% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£300 our estimate

    At the viewing: Pull the handbrake on a slope. It should hold the car within a few clicks.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 3.2% here, against 14% of all 2006 cars. Flexible brake hoses: 2.6% here, against 5.3% of all 2006 cars.

Common 2006 Volvo S40 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2006 Volvo S40 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    51% 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
    39% 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.

  • Brakes
    36% 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
    34% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    13% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    13% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2006 Volvo S40 diesel

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 1.7× as often on the 2006 Volvo S40 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the handbrake performance? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2006 Volvo S40 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Volvo S40?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Volvo S40 compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2013106Suspension 43%
20123,824Suspension 36%
20114,345Suspension 39%
20105,823Suspension 42%
20097,152Suspension 41%
20088,705Suspension 44%
20075,480Suspension 46%
20054,345Suspension 50%
20043,475Suspension 46%
20031,984Brakes 47%
20021,348Brakes 50%
2001960Brakes 45%
2000649Lights and electrics 43%
1999405Lights and electrics 49%
1998382Suspension 51%
1997209Suspension 46%
1996–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Volvo S40 cars first registered in 2006. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score