Used car guide

2004 Volvo V40: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2004 Volvo V40s, from 629 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

629MOT tests in 2025
48%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 58%)
5,400typical miles a year
3.8×the usual rate for ball joint dust cover

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2004 Volvo V40s than on all cars registered in 2004.

  • Ball joint dust cover3.8× usual
    Volvo V40
    18% All 2004 cars
    4.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.1%, against 1.8% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Seat belts7.3× usual
    Volvo V40
    13.2% All 2004 cars
    1.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 0.6% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£250 our estimate

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock and retract smoothly.

  • Sidelights2.4× usual
    Volvo V40
    15.3% All 2004 cars
    6.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10.8%, against 5.6% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.2× usual
    Volvo V40
    14.9% All 2004 cars
    6.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.3%, against 2.9% of all 2004 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.

  • Track rod ends2.2× usual
    Volvo V40
    14.6% All 2004 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.4%, against 2.9% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Better than most

Headlights: 5.4% here, against 13.7% of all 2004 cars.

By area

The share of 2004 Volvo V40 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    54% 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.

  • Brakes
    51% 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
    49% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    34% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    16% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    16% 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 V40?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20198,207Tyres 34%
201812,945Tyres 33%
201713,524Tyres 32%
201615,351Tyres 33%
201515,423Tyres 34%
201415,917Tyres 34%
201311,074Tyres 36%
20122,260Tyres 38%
2003737Suspension 56%
2002516Suspension 53%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2004 Volvo V40s registered in 2004. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score