Volvo S40 (1999)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 425 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,761

£230/month

MOT Pass Rate

66%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£375

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 18-32

1731cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

66% pass rate, £2,761/year to run. 16 points below average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft

£4.99

Check a specific Volvo S40

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

Petrol1731cc27 years old425 tests96k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1731cc)

~36 mpg

£1,631

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£375

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,761

Per month£230/mo

Per week£53/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

66% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 16 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Volvo brand average of 87%.

66% of MOT tests on Volvo S40s from 1999 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 25 years old. That's based on 425 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 95,707 miles.

Got a Volvo S40 you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1999 models317th of 361(bottom 13%)

Rank among Volvo models617th of 619(bottom 1%)

vs average of all models-16%(82% avg)

vs 1999 models average-9%(75% avg)

vs Volvo average-21%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

95,707

Average miles

185,000

Expected for age

The average 1999 Volvo S40 had 95,707 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 185,000 miles for a 25-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Looking at a specific Volvo S40?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2012 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 76%, while the 2000 model has the lowest at 65%. The 1999 scores 66%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Volvo S40 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2013	74%	66	94,541 mi
2012	76%	2,267	101,974 mi
2011	74%	2,791	110,521 mi
2010	72%	3,808	110,559 mi
2009	74%	4,499	109,564 mi
2008	72%	5,487	115,488 mi
2007	73%	3,388	119,784 mi
2006	73%	3,314	119,567 mi
2005	70%	2,790	116,994 mi
2004	70%	2,223	106,865 mi
2003	67%	1,280	104,893 mi
2002	69%	823	102,845 mi
2001	71%	599	101,232 mi
2000	65%	379	95,420 mi
1999	66%	425	95,707 mi
1998	74%	356	98,379 mi
1997	72%	219	99,179 mi
1996	73%	40	84,454 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Toyota Yaris

2001 · 1299cc Petrol

£2,153/year

71%

+5%

Ford Focus

2001 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,428/year

68%

+2%

Mazda MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£2,328/year

73%

+7%

Volkswagen Golf

1999 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,561/year

71%

+5%

Check a Specific Volvo S40

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

About the 1999 Volvo S40

The 1999 Volvo S40 is a premium car. Our records list a 1731cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 425 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 13% of 1999 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 95,707 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Volvo S40 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1999 Volvo S40 Fuel Costs

The 1731cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,631 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1999 Volvo S40?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,761 (£230/month), broken down as £1,631 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 66% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Volvo S40 Reliability Trend

Newer Volvo S40s pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 4 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 1999 Volvo S40

At 27 years old, the Volvo S40 is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2012 model has the highest pass rate at 76%.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 27 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 96k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 66% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1999 Volvo S40 stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Volvo S40(1999)	66%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,761
Toyota Yaris(2001)	71%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153-£608
Ford Focus(2001)	68%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,428-£333
Mazda MX-5(1999)	73%	£1,398	£375	Grp 12-25	£2,328-£433
Volkswagen Golf(1999)	71%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,561-£200

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 1999 Volvo S40

Is the 1999 Volvo S40 reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 66% of MOT tests on 1999 Volvo S40s ended in a pass, from 425 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 16 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1999 Volvo S40 cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,761 a year (£230 a month): £1,631 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1999 Volvo S40?

66% of 425 MOT tests on the 1999 Volvo S40 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 317th of 361 models first registered in 1999 (bottom 13%).

Which year Volvo S40 has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2012 Volvo S40 has the highest MOT pass rate at 76% and the 2000 the lowest at 65%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 1999 Volvo S40?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1999 Volvo S40 is 95,707 miles, which is below the expected 185,000 miles for a 25-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.