CarCostCheck

VOLVO V40 (2002)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 1,201 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,397

£200/month

MOT Pass Rate

68%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1948cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

68% pass rate, £2397/year to run. 14 points below average.

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Petrol1948cc24 years old1,201 tests125k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1948cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327
Road Tax

Based on 1948cc

£315
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700
Total per year£2,397
Per month£200/mo
Per week£46/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

68% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 14 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the VOLVO brand average of 87%.

At 24 years old, 68% of VOLVO V40s from 2002 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 1,201 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 124,584 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2002 cars320th of 403(top 79%)
Rank among VOLVO models620th of 635(top 98%)
vs national average-14%(82% avg)
vs 2002 cars average-5%(73% avg)
vs VOLVO average-19%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

124,584

Average miles

vs

177,600

Expected for age

The average 2002 VOLVO V40 has 124,584 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 177,600 miles for a 24-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2019 model with a 88% MOT pass rate, while the 2000 model has the lowest at 66%. The 2002 sits between the two at 68%.

VOLVO V40 by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
201988%13,55737,595 mi
201885%21,56046,813 mi
201784%23,48057,396 mi
201682%27,15267,465 mi
201580%28,59079,222 mi
201480%30,22289,093 mi
201380%20,97099,522 mi
201276%4,370105,566 mi
200466%1,585125,049 mi
200366%1,843125,362 mi
200268%1,201124,584 mi
200170%959121,513 mi
200066%547116,773 mi
199967%544104,983 mi
199867%33697,373 mi
199770%27497,758 mi
199695%3892,559 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

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About the 2002 VOLVO V40

The 2002 VOLVO V40 is a premium with a 1948cc petrol engine. 1,201 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 79% of 2002 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 124,584 miles at 24 years old, VOLVO V40 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2002 VOLVO V40 Fuel Costs

The 1948cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2002 VOLVO V40?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,397 200/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 68% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

VOLVO V40 Reliability Trend

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

Buying a Used 2002 VOLVO V40

At 24 years old, the VOLVO V40 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 2019 model has the highest pass rate at 88%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2002 VOLVO V40's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 24 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

Watch out

With an average of 125k 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.

Engine Mounts

Medium risk

Worn engine mounts cause excessive vibration and movement. Replacement costs £150-£400 per mount. Check for vibration at idle with the bonnet open.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 68% 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 2002 VOLVO V40 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
VOLVO V40(2002)68%£1327£315Grp 18-32£2397
MINI MINI(2004)71%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£570
FORD FOCUS(2004)69%£1137£135Grp 12-25£2027-£370
RENAULT CLIO(2004)68%£1327£135Grp 18-32£2217-£180
MERCEDES C(2004)72%£1327£135Grp 18-32£2017-£380

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Related Volvo Models

Explore other Volvo cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Volvo V40.

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