Used car guide

2012 Volvo S40: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Volvo S40s, from 1,220 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,220MOT tests in 2025
60%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
7,800typical miles a year
2.7×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Volvo S40s than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.7× usual
    Volvo S40
    11.9% All 2012 cars
    4.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7%, against 2.1% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Anti-roll bar links11.3× usual
    Volvo S40
    3.4% All 2012 cars
    0.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 0.2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

Better than most

Shock absorbers: 2.4% here, against 6.5% of all 2012 cars. Sub-frame: 2.3% here, against 5% of all 2012 cars.

By area

The share of 2012 Volvo S40 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    37% 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.

  • Brakes
    27% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    23% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Driveshafts and joints
    12% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    9% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Looking at a Volvo S40?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20111,333Suspension 43%
20101,691Suspension 44%
20092,114Suspension 44%
20082,447Suspension 47%
20071,500Suspension 50%
20061,338Suspension 48%
20051,142Suspension 52%
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 2012 Volvo S40s registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score