2004 Volvo S40: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2004 Volvo S40?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2004 Volvo S40 than on all cars registered in 2004.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.2× usual
  Volvo S40

  14.5% All 2004 cars

  6.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.4%, against 3% 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.

• Individual direction indicators2.1× usual
  Volvo S40

  7.1% All 2004 cars

  3.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 1.5% 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.

• Ball joint dust cover1.7× usual
  Volvo S40

  8.1% All 2004 cars

  4.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, 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 belts2.6× usual
  Volvo S40

  4.1% All 2004 cars

  1.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, 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.

Petrol or diesel: does it make a difference?

The same figures for each fuel on its own. Check which one the car you're looking at is: it's on the logbook and in its MOT history.

Common 2004 Volvo S40 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2004 Volvo S40 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  46% 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
  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.

• Lights and electrics
  39% 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
  32% 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.

• Driveshafts and joints
  15% 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
  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 2004 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 drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2004 Volvo S40 as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the individual direction indicators? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2004 Volvo S40 as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2004 Volvo S40 as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?