Volvo S40 - 2009
284.6 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 2009 is 311.0 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Volvo S40, model year 2009.
Sample size: 2,458 cars, 5,480 tests and 15,597 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: 2,458 cars
The 2009 Volvo S40 has a lower overall defect rate compared to the average car of the same year, with 285 defects per 100 vehicles versus the average of 310. This model shows a significant reduction in equipment-related defects, which are 45% lower than the average, but experiences a notable increase in steering-related issues, with defects 31% higher than the average. Mileage trends indicate that defects increase progressively with mileage, particularly in the highest mileage category. Overall, while the S40 performs better in equipment reliability, it faces challenges in steering compared to its peers.
Cars by mileage segment
Total: 2,458 cars
More model years for Volvo S40
Other models from Volvo
Categories
Brakes
▲ 13.3% better
101.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 117.5 / 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
▼ 27.6% worse
20.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 16.3 / 100 tests
- Power steering fluid leaking or system malfunctioning
- 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.
- A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
- Power steering pipe, hose or wiring: excessively damaged or corroded
Visibility
▲ 15.4% better
19.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 23.4 / 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: defective
- Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
Lights & Electrics
▲ 7.5% better
74.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 80.9 / 100 tests
- 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
- A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative: when rear registration plate has 2 or more lamps or light sources
- Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements
- A headlamp: missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 7.0% better
278.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 299.8 / 100 tests
- A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
- A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
- A suspension component: excessively damaged or corroded
Body/Structure
▲ 4.8% better
39.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 41.5 / 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
▲ 47.0% better
4.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 8.3 / 100 tests
- A seat belt: webbing or flexible stalk significantly stretched or weakened
- ESC MIL indicates a system malfunction
- Audible warning:
- An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
- Seat belt buckle missing, damaged or not functioning as intended
Other
▲ 15.1% better
29.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 34.4 / 100 tests
- Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
- Engine MIL inoperative or indicating a malfunction
- Emissions test unable to be completed
- Smoke opacity levels exceed the manufacturer’s specified limit
- Engine MIL inoperative or indicating a malfunction
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: 2,047
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 1,427
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 822
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 679
A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 663
A suspension component: excessively damaged or corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 613
Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 571
Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 568
Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 452
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 413
Serious faults (Top 10)
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 413
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 254
Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 253
A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
FAIL
Occurrences: 230
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 145
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: missing, split, insecure or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
FAIL
Occurrences: 137
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 135
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 129
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 122
Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
FAIL
Occurrences: 108