Volvo S40 - 2008
315.7 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 2008 is 340.8 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Volvo S40, model year 2008.
Sample size: 2,941 cars, 6,558 tests and 20,706 recorded faults.
0%
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year
Quick summary
Total: 2,941 cars
The 2008 Volvo S40 has an overall defect rate of 316 per 100 vehicles, which is 6.4% lower than the average for cars of the same year. Compared to the average, it performs notably better in the categories of brakes and equipment, with defect rates lower by approximately 20% in both cases. However, it struggles with steering issues, where its defect rate is significantly higher than the average. Mileage trends show that defect rates increase as mileage rises, particularly evident in the highest mileage category of over 124,000 miles. Overall, the S40 presents a mixed reliability profile, excelling in certain areas while facing challenges in others.
Cars by mileage segment
Total: 2,941 cars
More model years for Volvo S40
Other models from Volvo
Categories
Brakes
▲ 19.1% better
107.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 133.1 / 100 tests
- Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
- Brake disc or drum: significantly and obviously worn
- Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution
- Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
- Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
Steering
▼ 25.0% worse
22.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 18.0 / 100 tests
- Power steering fluid leaking or system malfunctioning
- A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
- 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.
- Power steering pipe, hose or wiring: excessively damaged or corroded
Visibility
▲ 19.8% better
20.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 25.3 / 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: defective
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
- Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
Lights & Electrics
▲ 11.2% better
81.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 92.2 / 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
- 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
- Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 2.9% better
301.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 310.3 / 100 tests
- A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
- A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A suspension component: excessively damaged or corroded
- A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
Body/Structure
▼ 7.0% worse
54.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 51.3 / 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
- 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
Equipment
▲ 23.8% better
7.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 10.1 / 100 tests
- An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
- ESC 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
- An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
Other
▲ 14.3% better
35.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 41.2 / 100 tests
- Engine MIL inoperative or indicating a malfunction
- Emissions test unable to be completed
- 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 levels exceed default limits
Fault rate by mileage segment
Model
Year average
* Metric: faults per 100 tests.
Most common faults (Top 10)
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 2,232
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 1,674
A suspension component: excessively damaged or corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 1,152
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 1,104
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 889
A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 857
Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 785
Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 749
Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 669
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 478
Serious faults (Top 10)
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 478
Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 334
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 283
A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
FAIL
Occurrences: 265
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: missing, split, insecure or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
FAIL
Occurrences: 210
Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 153
A shock absorber damaged … or showing signs of severe leakage
FAIL
Occurrences: 153
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 148
Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
FAIL
Occurrences: 147
Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
FAIL
Occurrences: 146