Volvo S40 - 1998
404.4 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 1998 is 342.9 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Volvo S40, model year 1998.
Sample size: 122 cars, 251 tests and 1,015 recorded faults.
0%
More faults compared to the average car of same model year
More faults compared to the average car of same model year
Quick summary
Total: 122 cars
The 1998 Volvo S40 has an overall defect rate of 404 per 100 vehicles, which is 19% higher than the average of 339 per 100 for vehicles of the same year. Notably, the S40 shows improved performance in visibility and body/structure defects, with rates lower than the average by 24% and 21%, respectively. However, it struggles significantly in areas such as steering, lights and electrics, and wheels/suspension, with defect rates that exceed the average by 39%, 108%, and 21%, respectively. Mileage trends indicate a rise in defects as the vehicle ages, particularly in the higher mileage categories.
Cars by mileage segment
Total: 122 cars
More model years for Volvo S40
Other models from Volvo
Categories
Brakes
▼ 18.9% worse
177.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 149.4 / 100 tests
- Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
- Flexible brake hose: excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
- Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
- Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
- Brake disc or drum: significantly and obviously worn
Steering
▼ 37.1% worse
35.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 25.6 / 100 tests
- A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
- Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: damaged or deteriorated
- A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
- Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
- The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any steering component mounting (a ‘prescribed area’): is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
Visibility
▲ 24.3% better
19.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 26.3 / 100 tests
- Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
- Obligatory mirror or device: slightly damaged or loose
- Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
- Wiper not operating or missing
Lights & Electrics
▼ 112.6% worse
141.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 66.7 / 100 tests
- A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative: when rear registration plate has 2 or more lamps or light sources
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
- Beam image obviously incorrect
- Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements
- Lamp: multiple light source up to a half not functioning
Wheels & Suspension
▼ 20.6% worse
310.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 257.8 / 100 tests
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
- A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
- A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
- The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
Body/Structure
▲ 24.7% better
60.6 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 80.5 / 100 tests
- Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
- Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
- A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: severely deteriorated
- Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
- Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
Equipment
▲ 22.1% better
15.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 20.4 / 100 tests
- A seat belt: or flexible stalk damaged
- Audible warning:
- Seat belt buckle missing, damaged or not functioning as intended
- A seat belt: webbing or flexible stalk significantly stretched or weakened
- is significantly reduced or The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a ’prescribed area’): inadequately repaired
Other
▲ 20.3% better
47.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 59.0 / 100 tests
- Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
- Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer’s specified limits
- Emissions test unable to be completed
- Emissions levels exceed default limits
- Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
Fault rate by mileage segment
Model
Year average
* Metric: faults per 100 tests.
Most common faults (Top 10)
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 101
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 85
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 59
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 47
A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 32
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 29
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 28
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative: when rear registration plate has 2 or more lamps or light sources
MINOR
Occurrences: 26
A suspension joint dust cover: severely deteriorated
MINOR
Occurrences: 24
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 22
Serious faults (Top 10)
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 17
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
FAIL
Occurrences: 15
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 14
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 13
Emissions levels exceed default limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 11
Beam image obviously incorrect
FAIL
Occurrences: 11
Flexible brake hose: excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
FAIL
Occurrences: 9
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
FAIL
Occurrences: 9
Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 9
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 9