2008 Volvo S40 petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2008 Volvo S40 petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2008 Volvo S40 petrol than on all cars registered in 2008.

• Exhaust system1.8× usual
  Volvo S40

  15.8% All 2008 cars

  8.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 2.4% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

• Individual direction indicators2× usual
  Volvo S40

  6.3% All 2008 cars

  3.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 1.4% of all 2008 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.

• Power steering pipes and hoses7.2× usual
  Volvo S40

  2.9% All 2008 cars

  0.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.1% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

• Rear reflectors7× usual
  Volvo S40

  2.1% All 2008 cars

  0.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.1% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

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

Common 2008 Volvo S40 petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2008 Volvo S40 petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  43% 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.

• 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.

• Tyres
  34% 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
  30% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  17% 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  11% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2008 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 exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2008 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 2008 Volvo S40 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the power steering pipes and hoses? (Flagged at MOT 7.2× as often on the 2008 Volvo S40 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?