2010 Volvo S40 MOT pass rate and common faults

MOT tests in 2025, published 22 Jun 2026. DVSA publishes a new year each summer.

1,688 Volvo S40 cars first used in 2010 had an MOT in 2025, at about 15 years old, and 58.6% passed first time. That is in line with the 59.3% for all cars first used in 2010.

The year is when the car was first used, as on its V5C log book, not the model year.

Common failures

The share of 2010 Volvo S40 cars tested that failed on, or had fixed at the station, each item. Worth checking before the MOT or before you buy.

Most common 2010 Volvo S40 MOT failure items
2010 Volvo S40 common failures
ItemValue
Position lamp: not working5.8%
Coil spring: fractured or broken5.6%
Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn4.6%
Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.3%
Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps3.2%
Headlamp: not working on dipped beam3.1%

Source: DVSA, tests in 2025, published 22 June 2026.

Common advisories

Things the tester noticed that were not bad enough to fail. They often turn into failures later. What advisories mean for the next MOT.

Most common 2010 Volvo S40 advisories
2010 Volvo S40 common advisories
ItemValue
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge26.3%
Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement13.5%
Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive10.0%
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened9.8%
Condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing8.8%
Brake pads: wearing thin8.4%

Source: DVSA, tests in 2025, published 22 June 2026.

Where the faults are

The share of cars tested with at least one failure or fix in each part of the car.

2010 Volvo S40 faults by area
2010 Volvo S40 faults by area
ItemValue
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment18.6%
Suspension18.0%
Tyres9.8%
Brakes9.2%
Steering6.0%
Visibility5.2%

Source: DVSA, tests in 2025, published 22 June 2026.

Typical mileage

Recorded mileage at the MOT. A car well above this range has done more work than most; one far below is worth a closer look at its MOT history.

2010 Volvo S40 recorded mileage
2010 Volvo S40 mileage
CarsLowTypicalHigh
1,68882,400107,300 miles133,000

The middle half of cars fall between the low and high figures. Source: DVSA, tests in 2025, published 22 June 2026.

Other Volvo S40 years

Volvo S40 first-time pass rate by year first used
YearTestsPassed first timeAll cars that year
20121,21959.7%63.5%
20111,33457.0%61.2%
20101,68858.6%59.3%
20092,09657.6%58.3%
20082,44357.9%57.2%
20071,49658.9%57.4%
20061,33460.3%57.0%
20051,13657.4%57.6%

Checking one car?

These figures describe groups of cars. A vehicle history report shows the full MOT history, mileage, outstanding finance, write-offs and stolen records for one registration.

Figures from the DVSA anonymised MOT testing data for MOT tests in 2025, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Analysis by Motoring Insider. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. How we work out these figures.