Volvo XC40 common problems and MOT failures
What goes wrong on a used Volvo XC40, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 203,934 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.
Pick the year
Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).
What usually goes wrong with a Volvo XC40?
Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.
- Cars registered 2018–2025 · All engines
Brake servo and emergency braking recalls
Recalls covered brake servos not properly secured (2020 and 2021), emergency braking software, rear seat latches, a wiring harness that could chafe, and a loose high-voltage battery on electrified versions.
At the viewing: Ask a Volvo dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.
- Cars registered 2018–2025 · All engines
Vibration through the car
Some owners report vibration through the chassis and suspension.
At the viewing: Feel for vibration at different speeds.
Common Volvo XC40 MOT failures to check
Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.
Petrol
Brake pads
up to 3.9× usualStands out on cars registered in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.
Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.
Diesel
Brake pads
up to 2.2× usualStands out on cars registered in 2018, 2019 and 2020.
Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.
Electric
Drive shaft (CV) joints
up to 5× usualStands out on cars registered in 2021.
Rough price £60–£350 our estimateAt the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.
Tyre condition
up to 1.8× usualStands out on cars registered in 2021.
Rough price £70–£150 our estimateAt the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges. Uneven wear can point to tracking or suspension problems.
Volvo XC40 MOT pass rate by year
Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2018 Volvo XC40 did best (88% passed first time, 5 points above all 2018 cars) and the 2023 did worst (95%, 3 points above all 2023 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a Volvo XC40
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Have all the recalls been done, especially the brake servo ones?
- Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the Volvo XC40 as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a Volvo XC40?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score