2013 Volvo V40 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2013 Volvo V40 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2013 Volvo V40 diesel than on all cars registered in 2013.

• Individual direction indicators3× usual
  Volvo V40

  5.1% All 2013 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 0.6% of all 2013 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.

• Anti-lock braking system7.5× usual
  Volvo V40

  3% All 2013 cars

  0.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 0.4% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

• Diesel smoke emissions5.7× usual
  Volvo V40

  2.3% All 2013 cars

  0.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 0.4% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

• Wheels1.8× usual
  Volvo V40

  2.3% All 2013 cars

  1.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.4% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

Common 2013 Volvo V40 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2013 Volvo V40 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  35% 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.

• Suspension
  26% 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
  24% 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
  20% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  6% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  4% 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.

Known faults on the 2013 Volvo V40 diesel

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Inlet manifold and coolant leak recalls

  All engines

  About 70,000 cars built 2013 to 2018 were recalled because the plastic inlet manifold could melt, and others for coolant or oil leaks that could cause a fire, trapped air in the cooling system and cracking fuel hoses.

  At the viewing: Ask a Volvo dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.

  Source: Haynes: Volvo V40 Mk2 common problems (2012-2019)

• Misfires from broken valve springs

  1.6 petrol and diesel

  Broken exhaust valve springs cause rough idling, misfires and starting problems on some 1.6 petrol and diesel engines.

  At the viewing: Listen for a rough idle and make sure there's no engine warning light.

  Source: Haynes: Volvo V40 Mk2 common problems (2012-2019)

• Damp carpets and musty smell

  All engines

  A blocked air con drain hose can let water into the cabin.

  At the viewing: Feel the front carpets for damp and sniff for mustiness.

  Source: Haynes: Volvo V40 Mk2 common problems (2012-2019)

• Hard to get into fifth

  Manual gearbox

  A worn selector rod on the M76 manual gearbox can make fifth hard to engage. Volvo has a spacer that fixes it.

  At the viewing: Change into fifth several times.

  Source: Haynes: Volvo V40 Mk2 common problems (2012-2019)

• Stiff clutch pedal

  Manual gearbox

  A faulty clutch slave cylinder makes the pedal stiff.

  At the viewing: Feel the clutch pedal for heaviness.

  Source: Haynes: Volvo V40 Mk2 common problems (2012-2019)

• Droning brakes

  All engines

  A missing vibration damper on a front caliper makes the brakes drone.

  At the viewing: Listen when braking gently.

  Source: Haynes: Volvo V40 Mk2 common problems (2012-2019)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2013 Volvo V40 diesel

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Have all the recalls been done? Can a Volvo dealer confirm from the VIN?
2. Any recent work on the individual direction indicators? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the 2013 Volvo V40 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the anti-lock braking system? (Flagged at MOT 7.5× as often on the 2013 Volvo V40 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the diesel smoke emissions? (Flagged at MOT 5.7× as often on the 2013 Volvo V40 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?