Is the Volvo V40 reliable?

The Volvo V40 has an average MOT pass rate of 76% across 17 years, based on 177,228 tests in 2026. That's 6 points below the national average of 82%. The most reliable year is 1996 with a 95% pass rate.

Which year Volvo V40 is best?

The 1996 Volvo V40 has the highest MOT pass rate at 95%, while the 2003 model has the lowest at 66%. There's a 29 percentage point spread between the best and worst years.

Volvo V40

Reliability, running costs, and MOT data across 17 years from 177,228 real MOT tests.

Avg Pass Rate

76%

Total Tests

177,228

Best Year

1996 (95%)

Years Covered

About the Volvo V40

The Volvo V40 has been tested 177,228 times in 2026 MOT data across 17 model years (1996 to 2019), with an average pass rate of 76%. That's 6 points below the national average of 82%, so check the year-by-year data carefully before buying. Available as diesel and petrol and LP.

Best and Worst Years

The 1996 model is the most reliable with a 95% pass rate from 38 tests. The 2003 model has the lowest at 66%. With a 29 point spread, choosing the right year makes a big difference to reliability.

Reliability Trend

Newer VOLVO V40s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 14 percentage points.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (1996) averages 92,559 miles, while the newest (2019) averages 37,595 miles.

Compared to the Volvo brand average of 87%, the V40 is 11 points lower, placing it among the less reliable Volvo models.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1498cc)

£1,137

Road Tax

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£1,737

Per month£145/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2019 details

How reliable is the Volvo V40?

vs national average-6% (82% avg)

vs Volvo brand average-11% (87% avg)

Best to worst year spread29 percentage points

Reliability trendImproving over years

Volvo V40 by Year

Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2019	88%	13,557	37,595 mi
2018	85%	21,560	46,813 mi
2017	84%	23,480	57,396 mi
2016	82%	27,152	67,465 mi
2015	80%	28,590	79,222 mi
2014	80%	30,222	89,093 mi
2013	80%	20,970	99,522 mi
2012	76%	4,370	105,566 mi
2004	66%	1,585	125,049 mi
2003	66%	1,843	125,362 mi
2002	68%	1,201	124,584 mi
2001	70%	959	121,513 mi
2000	66%	547	116,773 mi
1999	67%	544	104,983 mi
1998	67%	336	97,373 mi
1997	70%	274	97,758 mi
1996	95%	38	92,559 mi