Used car guide

2015 Volvo V40: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2015 Volvo V40s, from 15,423 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

15,423MOT tests in 2025
68%pass first time (all 2015 cars: 72%)
8,300typical miles a year
1.8×the usual rate for coil springs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2015 Volvo V40s than on all cars registered in 2015.

  • Coil springs1.8× usual
    Volvo V40
    9.9% All 2015 cars
    5.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.8%, against 3% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.6× usual
    Volvo V40
    5.4% All 2015 cars
    2.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 1.2% of all 2015 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-lock braking system8.2× usual
    Volvo V40
    3.3% All 2015 cars
    0.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 0.4% of all 2015 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 emissions6× usual
    Volvo V40
    2.4% All 2015 cars
    0.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 0.3% of all 2015 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.

  • Individual direction indicators3.4× usual
    Volvo V40
    2.7% All 2015 cars
    0.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.3% of all 2015 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.

Better than most

Shock absorbers: 1.4% here, against 5.2% of all 2015 cars. Number plate lights: 0.4% here, against 4.1% of all 2015 cars.

By area

The share of 2015 Volvo V40 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • 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.

  • Brakes
    23% 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.

  • Suspension
    22% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    17% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • 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.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    5% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

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%
201415,917Tyres 34%
201311,074Tyres 36%
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 2015 Volvo V40s registered in 2015. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score