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Volvo S40 - 2005

347.5 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 2005 is 377.4 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Volvo S40, model year 2005. Sample size: 1,458 cars, 3,193 tests and 11,097 recorded faults.
0%
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year

Quick summary

Total: 1,458 cars

The 2005 Volvo S40 has an overall defect rate of 348 defects per 100 vehicles, which is 7.4% better than the average for cars of the same year, which stands at 376 defects per 100. This model shows particularly strong performance in categories like brakes and lights & electrics, with defect rates significantly lower than the average. Notably, the S40 performs best in the mileage range of 0 to 31,000 miles, with a defect rate of 291, compared to 341 for the average car in that mileage bracket. Overall, the Volvo S40 appears to be a reliable choice, particularly with regards to crucial safety features.

Cars by mileage segment

Total: 1,458 cars

Categories

Brakes
▲ 20.0% better
126.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 158.5 / 100 tests
  • Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
  • Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
  • Brake disc or drum: significantly and obviously worn
  • Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
  • Parking brake efficiency: below minimum requirement
Steering
▼ 6.7% worse
23.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 22.4 / 100 tests
  • A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
  • A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
  • Power steering fluid leaking or system malfunctioning
  • Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
  • Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: damaged or deteriorated
Visibility
▲ 11.6% better
25.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 28.4 / 100 tests
  • Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
  • Obligatory mirror or device: slightly damaged or loose
  • Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
  • Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
  • Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
Lights & Electrics
▲ 30.8% better
76.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 110.1 / 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: multiple light source up to a half not functioning
  • The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
  • Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements
  • Headlamp reflector or lens: slightly defective
Wheels & Suspension
▼ 10.7% worse
347.6 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 314.1 / 100 tests
  • Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
  • A suspension component: excessively damaged or corroded
  • A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
  • A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
  • A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
Body/Structure
▲ 24.4% better
46.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 61.5 / 100 tests
  • 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
  • A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: missing, split, insecure or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
  • Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
Equipment
▲ 52.7% better
6.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 12.9 / 100 tests
  • An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
  • Seat belt buckle missing, damaged or not functioning as intended
  • A seat belt: webbing or flexible stalk significantly stretched or weakened
  • A seat belt:
  • Audible warning:
Other
▲ 8.6% better
42.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 46.7 / 100 tests
  • Engine MIL inoperative or indicating a malfunction
  • Emissions levels exceed default limits
  • 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
  • Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer

Fault rate by mileage segment

Model    Year average
0 520 0–31,000 mi 31,000–62,000 62,000–93,000 93,000–124,000 124,000+
* Metric: faults per 100 tests.

Most common faults (Top 10)

Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 1,153
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 808
A suspension component: excessively damaged or corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 795
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 627
A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 518
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 482
Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 461
Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 331
Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 284
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 259

Serious faults (Top 10)

A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 259
Parking brake efficiency: below minimum requirement
FAIL
Occurrences: 129
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 128
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: missing, split, insecure or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
FAIL
Occurrences: 125
A suspension joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 118
A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
FAIL
Occurrences: 112
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 99
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 84
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 74
Parking brake inoperative on one side, or in the case of testing on the road, the vehicle deviates excessively from a straight line
FAIL
Occurrences: 72