2012 Volvo S40: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Volvo S40?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2012 Volvo S40 than on all cars registered in 2012.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints1.9× usual
  Volvo S40

  17.3% All 2012 cars

  9.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.8%, against 1.9% of all 2012 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.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.9× usual
  Volvo S40

  11.2% All 2012 cars

  3.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.5%, against 1.9% of all 2012 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

  6.1% All 2012 cars

  2.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 1.1% of all 2012 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-roll bar links9.7× usual
  Volvo S40

  2.9% All 2012 cars

  0.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 0.2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

  At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

Common 2012 Volvo S40 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2012 Volvo S40 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  36% 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.

• 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
  24% 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
  23% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Driveshafts and joints
  11% 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
  8% 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 2012 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 suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2012 Volvo S40 as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the 2012 Volvo S40 as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the individual direction indicators? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2012 Volvo S40 as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?