2011 Volvo S40 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2011 Volvo S40 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2011 Volvo S40 diesel than on all cars registered in 2011.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints3.7× usual
  Volvo S40

  15% All 2011 cars

  4.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.9%, against 2% of all 2011 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.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints1.7× usual
  Volvo S40

  16.7% All 2011 cars

  9.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.3%, against 2.1% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Anti-roll bar links14.7× usual
  Volvo S40

  4.4% All 2011 cars

  0.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 0.3% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

  At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

• Individual direction indicators2.2× usual
  Volvo S40

  6.6% All 2011 cars

  3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 1.2% of all 2011 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.

• Steering rack2.6× usual
  Volvo S40

  2.1% All 2011 cars

  0.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.4% of all 2011 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 2011 Volvo S40 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2011 Volvo S40 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  41% 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
  40% 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
  29% 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
  29% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• 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
  10% 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 2011 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 3.7× as often on the 2011 Volvo S40 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2011 Volvo S40 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar links? (Flagged at MOT 14.7× as often on the 2011 Volvo S40 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?