2006 Volvo S40 MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 60.3% of Volvo S40s first used in 2006 passed their MOT first time, against 57.0% for all cars first used in 2006. Across 5,046 S40 first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were suspension, lamps and electrical equipment and brakes.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Volvo S40s first used in 2006 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2006 Volvo S40 MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, S40s first used in 2006 against all cars first used in 2006 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the S40 figure was 3.3 points higher.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2006 S40 | All cars first used 2006 | S40 first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 56.7% | 55.5% | 2,734 |
| 2022 | 58.9% | 56.0% | 2,352 |
| 2023 | 59.5% | 56.2% | 2,028 |
| 2024 | 57.7% | 56.1% | 1,684 |
| 2025 | 60.3% | 57.0% | 1,334 |
Common 2006 Volvo S40 MOT failures
Share of the 2,063 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | 11.2% | 232 |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | 11.1% | 228 |
| Position lamp: not working | 10.6% | 218 |
| Parking brake efficiency (sp): efficiency below requirements | 9.1% | 187 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | 8.2% | 170 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for an S40 in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | Coil spring replacement | £248 | £175–£400 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension arm replacement | £150 | £120–£180 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2006 Volvo S40 before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
- Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.
Common 2006 Volvo S40 MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2006 S40s, as a share of all 5,046 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 21.8% | 1,098 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 12.7% | 642 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | 11.8% | 596 |
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | 9.6% | 483 |
| Coil spring: corroded | 9.2% | 465 |
Questions about the 2006 Volvo S40 MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2006 Volvo S40?
In 2025, 60.3% of S40s first used in 2006 passed their MOT first time, against 57.0% for all cars first used in 2006. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2006 S40 most often fail its MOT on?
Suspension (in 43.8% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), lamps and electrical equipment (39.6%) and brakes (26.8%). The single most common item was “Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt” (11.2%).
How often does a 2006 Volvo S40 fail its MOT?
In 2025, 39.7% of first tests on S40s first used in 2006 did not pass first time: 33.3% failed, and a further 6.4% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 2,063 of 5,046 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2006 Volvo S40 MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 21.8% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (12.7%), “Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement” (11.8%), “Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (9.6%) and “Coil spring: corroded” (9.2%).
Is a 2006 Volvo S40 reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 56.7% in 2021 to 60.3% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2006
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2006 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2006 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2006 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2006 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics · 2006 MINI Hatch MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2006 S40?
The numbers above cover every S40 first used in 2006 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
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