2021 Volvo XC40 petrol: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the petrol Volvo XC40 first registered in 2021 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 20,893 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
What goes wrong more than usual on a 2021 Volvo XC40 petrol?
Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2021 Volvo XC40 petrol than on all cars registered in 2021.
- Brake pads2.9× usualVolvo XC4017.8% All 2021 cars6.1%
Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 1.1% of all 2021 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.
Common 2021 Volvo XC40 petrol MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2021 Volvo XC40 petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Tyres23% 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.
- Brakes21% 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.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors4% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
- Seats and seatbelts3% of testsRough price £80–£250
At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.
- Lights and electrics2% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Suspension1% 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.
Known faults on the 2021 Volvo XC40 petrol
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.
- All engines
Brake servo and emergency braking recalls
Recalls covered brake servos not properly secured (2020 and 2021), emergency braking software, rear seat latches, a wiring harness that could chafe, and a loose high-voltage battery on electrified versions.
At the viewing: Ask a Volvo dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.
- All engines
Vibration through the car
Some owners report vibration through the chassis and suspension.
At the viewing: Feel for vibration at different speeds.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2021 Volvo XC40 petrol
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Have all the recalls been done, especially the brake servo ones?
- Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the 2021 Volvo XC40 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a Volvo XC40?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Other years
Every year of the Volvo XC40 compared
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2025 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2024 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2023 | 798 | Tyres 20% |
| 2022 | 16,290 | Tyres 22% |
| 2020 | 72,937 | Tyres 23% |
| 2019 | 44,763 | Tyres 25% |
| 2018 | 19,657 | Tyres 26% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Volvo XC40 cars first registered in 2021. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score