Used car guide

2013 Volvo V40: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2013 Volvo V40s, from 11,074 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

11,074MOT tests in 2025
66%pass first time (all 2013 cars: 66%)
8,700typical miles a year
3.2×the usual rate for individual direction indicators

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2013 Volvo V40s than on all cars registered in 2013.

  • Individual direction indicators3.2× usual
    Volvo V40
    5.7% All 2013 cars
    1.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.8%, against 0.7% of all 2013 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.

  • Anti-lock braking system8.2× usual
    Volvo V40
    3.3% All 2013 cars
    0.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 0.4% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

  • Diesel smoke emissions4.2× usual
    Volvo V40
    2.1% All 2013 cars
    0.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 0.4% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

Better than most

Number plate lights: 0.4% here, against 6.1% of all 2013 cars. Rigid brake pipes: 0.9% here, against 4.7% of all 2013 cars.

By area

The share of 2013 Volvo V40 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • 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.

  • Suspension
    30% 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
    25% 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
    22% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    5% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    5% 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.

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%
20122,260Tyres 38%
2004629Suspension 54%
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 2013 Volvo V40s registered in 2013. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score