1998 Volvo S40: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1998 Volvo S40?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1998 Volvo S40 than on all cars registered in 1998.

• Number plate lights3.3× usual
  Volvo S40

  16.5% All 1998 cars

  5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, against 1.2% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

• Number plates2.5× usual
  Volvo S40

  14.9% All 1998 cars

  5.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.7% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints2.3× usual
  Volvo S40

  11.8% All 1998 cars

  5.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.9% of all 1998 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.

• Sidelights2.5× usual
  Volvo S40

  9.9% All 1998 cars

  4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.1%, against 3.5% of all 1998 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.

Common 1998 Volvo S40 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1998 Volvo S40 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  51% 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
  46% 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
  41% 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.

• Tyres
  31% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  18% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  11% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1998 Volvo S40

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 3.3× as often on the 1998 Volvo S40 as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the number plates? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 1998 Volvo S40 as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 1998 Volvo S40 as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?