How much does a 2004 VOLVO V40 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,397 (£200/month), including £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2004 VOLVO V40?

The 2004 VOLVO V40 has a 66% MOT pass rate based on 1,585 tests in 2026. This ranks 424 out of 491 cars from 2004.

Which year VOLVO V40 is most reliable?

The 2019 VOLVO V40 has the highest MOT pass rate at 88%. The least reliable year is 2000 at 66%.

VOLVO V40 (2004)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2004 VOLVO V40?

The average mileage for a 2004 VOLVO V40 is 125,049 miles, which is below the expected 162,800 miles for a 22-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 1,585 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,397

£200/month

MOT Pass Rate

66%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1948cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

66% pass rate, £2397/year to run. 16 points below average.

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

£4.99

Check a specific VOLVO V40

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

Petrol1948cc22 years old1,585 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.

🛡️

Get an insurance quote for this VOLVO V40

Compare quotes and find the best deal

Reliability Verdict

66% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 16 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the VOLVO brand average of 87%.

At 22 years old, 66% of VOLVO V40s from 2004 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 1,585 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 125,049 miles.

Got a VOLVO V40 you're looking at?

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

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2004 cars424th of 491(top 86%)

Rank among VOLVO models631th of 635(top 99%)

vs national average-16%(82% avg)

vs 2004 cars average-6%(72% avg)

vs VOLVO average-21%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

125,049

Average miles

162,800

Expected for age

The average 2004 VOLVO V40 has 125,049 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 162,800 miles for a 22-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Looking at a specific VOLVO V40?

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

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 2004 sits between the two at 66%.

VOLVO V40 by Year

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

Similar Cars to Consider

HONDA FR-V

2004 · 1668cc Petrol

£2,217/year

67%

+1%

SEAT TOLEDO

2002 · 2324cc Petrol

£2,597/year

64%

-2%

Check a Specific Volvo V40

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 2004 VOLVO V40

The 2004 VOLVO V40 is a premium with a 1948cc petrol engine. 1,585 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 86% of 2004 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 125,049 miles at 22 years old, VOLVO V40 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2004 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 2004 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 66% 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 2004 VOLVO V40

At 22 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 2004 VOLVO V40's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

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 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 2004 VOLVO V40 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
VOLVO V40(2004)	66%	£1327	£315	Grp 18-32	£2397
HONDA FR-V(2004)	67%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2217-£180
SEAT TOLEDO(2002)	64%	£1592	£250	Grp 25-38	£2597+£200

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.