Used car guide

2005 Volvo S40: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2005 Volvo S40s, from 1,142 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,142MOT tests in 2025
57%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 58%)
5,700typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for suspension arm

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2005 Volvo S40s than on all cars registered in 2005.

  • Suspension arm2× usual
    Volvo S40
    8.1% All 2005 cars
    4.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.9%, against 0.4% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Handbrake performance2.5× usual
    Volvo S40
    3% All 2005 cars
    1.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 1.2% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£300 our estimate

    At the viewing: Pull the handbrake on a slope. It should hold the car within a few clicks.

  • Wheels2.1× usual
    Volvo S40
    3.5% All 2005 cars
    1.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.5% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 3.3% here, against 14.9% of all 2005 cars. Flexible brake hoses: 2.5% here, against 5.8% of all 2005 cars.

By area

The share of 2005 Volvo S40 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    52% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Tyres
    36% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Lights and electrics
    35% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Brakes
    34% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    15% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    11% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Looking at a Volvo S40?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20121,220Suspension 37%
20111,333Suspension 43%
20101,691Suspension 44%
20092,114Suspension 44%
20082,447Suspension 47%
20071,500Suspension 50%
20061,338Suspension 48%
2004910Suspension 47%
2003515Suspension 48%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2005 Volvo S40s registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score