Volvo S40 - 2003
387.0 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 2003 is 380.4 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Volvo S40, model year 2003.
Sample size: 663 cars, 1,479 tests and 5,723 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: 663 cars
The 2003 Volvo S40 has a slightly higher overall defect rate than the average car from the same year, with 387 defects per 100 vehicles compared to 378. The model shows a notable increase in defects as mileage increases, particularly in the highest mileage category (over 124,000 miles), where the defect rate reaches 506. In terms of categories, the S40 performs significantly better in "Other" defects, with a rate of 31 compared to the average of 53. However, it stands out negatively in "Equipment" defects, showing a much higher rate of 37 compared to the yearly average of 13.
Cars by mileage segment
Total: 663 cars
More model years for Volvo S40
Other models from Volvo
Categories
Brakes
▼ 10.9% worse
187.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 169.3 / 100 tests
- Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
- Brake hose ferrules: excessively corroded
- Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
- Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
- Brake disc or drum: significantly and obviously worn
Steering
▼ 16.3% worse
29.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 25.2 / 100 tests
- Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
- Power steering fluid leaking or system malfunctioning
- Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: damaged or deteriorated
- A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
- A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
Visibility
▲ 21.1% better
23.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 29.8 / 100 tests
- Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
- Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
- Wiper blade: defective
- Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
Lights & Electrics
▼ 12.2% worse
115.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 102.8 / 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
- Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
- A battery insecure: but not likely to fall from carrier
- Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements
- Lamp: multiple light source up to a half not functioning
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 3.8% better
290.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 302.1 / 100 tests
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
- A suspension component: excessively damaged or corroded
- A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
- A suspension joint dust cover: severely deteriorated
Body/Structure
▲ 8.1% better
59.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 65.2 / 100 tests
- Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
- A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: missing, split, insecure or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
- A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: severely deteriorated
- Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
- Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
Equipment
▼ 170.6% worse
36.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 13.6 / 100 tests
- A seat belt:
- A seat belt: or flexible stalk damaged
- An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
- 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
- A seat belt: webbing or flexible stalk significantly stretched or weakened
Other
▲ 41.6% better
30.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 52.7 / 100 tests
- Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
- Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
- Emissions test unable to be completed
- Engine MIL inoperative or indicating a malfunction
- Emissions levels exceed default limits
Fault rate by mileage segment
Model
Year average
* Metric: faults per 100 tests.
Most common faults (Top 10)
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 392
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 335
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 315
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 297
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 273
A suspension joint dust cover: severely deteriorated
MINOR
Occurrences: 217
A suspension component: excessively damaged or corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 202
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: severely deteriorated
MINOR
Occurrences: 155
Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 146
A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 143
Serious faults (Top 10)
A suspension joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 98
Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 83
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 74
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 68
A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
FAIL
Occurrences: 51
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 50
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: missing, split, insecure or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
FAIL
Occurrences: 44
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
FAIL
Occurrences: 41
An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
FAIL
Occurrences: 39
Parking brake efficiency: below minimum requirement
FAIL
Occurrences: 38