2001 Volvo V40 petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2001 Volvo V40 petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2001 Volvo V40 petrol than on all cars registered in 2001.

• Ball joint dust cover3.3× usual
  Volvo V40

  12.1% All 2001 cars

  3.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 1.3% of all 2001 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.

• Brake pads2.1× usual
  Volvo V40

  12.5% All 2001 cars

  6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 1.4% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

• Track rod ends2.1× usual
  Volvo V40

  10.6% All 2001 cars

  5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 2% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

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

• Sidelights2× usual
  Volvo V40

  10.7% All 2001 cars

  5.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.3%, against 4.7% of all 2001 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 belts3.6× usual
  Volvo V40

  6.5% All 2001 cars

  1.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.6% of all 2001 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.

Common 2001 Volvo V40 petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2001 Volvo V40 petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  48% 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.

• Suspension
  47% 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
  35% 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
  33% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  13% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  12% 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 2001 Volvo V40 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 3.3× as often on the 2001 Volvo V40 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2001 Volvo V40 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2001 Volvo V40 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?