Used car guide · 1996–2026

Volvo V40 common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Volvo V40, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 294,173 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 1996 Volvo V40

Too few Volvo V40 cars first registered in 1996 had an MOT during 2025 for reliable MOT figures. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Volvo V40 as a whole.

60on the UK register at the end of 2025
Dieselmost common fuel (also petrol)
What to check on a 1996 car
  • MOT history

    Check the reg below: its MOT history shows what has been failed or advised, and whether the mileage adds up.

  • Service history

    Look for regular servicing and receipts for big jobs like a cambelt or clutch.

  • Finance and write-offs

    MOT records don’t show outstanding finance or insurance write-offs. A history check does.

  • Test drive

    Listen for knocks over bumps, check every warning light goes out, and make sure the gears and brakes feel right.

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

202620192018201720162015201420132012200420032002200120001999199819971996

What usually goes wrong with a Volvo V40?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Inlet manifold and coolant leak recalls

    Cars registered 2012–2019 · 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

    Cars registered 2012–2019 · 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

    Cars registered 2012–2019 · 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

    Cars registered 2012–2019 · 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

    Cars registered 2012–2019 · 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

    Cars registered 2012–2019 · 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)

Common Volvo V40 MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Coil springs

    up to 7.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Sidelights

    up to 2.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2015.

    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.

  • Ball joint dust cover

    up to 4.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004.

    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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints

    up to 2.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2003, 2004, 2015 and 2016.

    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.

  • Seat belts

    up to 6.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2001, 2003 and 2004.

    Rough price £80–£250 our estimate

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock and retract smoothly.

  • Steering rack

    up to 4.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2002 and 2003.

    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.

Diesel

  • Coil springs

    up to 8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Wheels

    up to 3.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2012, 2013, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

    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.

  • Diesel smoke emissions

    up to 9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

    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.

  • Sidelights

    up to 2.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2015.

    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.

  • Engine oil leaks

    up to 2.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2016.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Seat belts

    up to 7.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2002, 2003 and 2004.

    Rough price £80–£250 our estimate

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock and retract smoothly.

Volvo V40 MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2013 Volvo V40 did best (67% passed first time, 0 points above all 2013 cars) and the 2015 did worst (69%, 5 points below all 2015 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
201983%85% -224,382
201880%83% -338,335
201778%80% -240,228
201674%77% -345,842
201569%74% -546,343
201468%70% -248,044
201367%67% +033,553
201264%64% +06,965
200447%57% -102,391
200348%57% -92,858
200250%58% -81,980
200154%60% -61,484
200052%61% -9801
199953%63% -10488 (small sample)
199851%65% -14267 (small sample)
199753%65% -12212 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Volvo V40

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 coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 7.6× as often on the Volvo V40 as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the seat belts? (Flagged at MOT 6.9× as often on the Volvo V40 as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 4.1× as often on the Volvo V40 as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Volvo V40?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score