2012 Volvo S40 MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 59.7% of Volvo S40s first used in 2012 passed their MOT first time, against 63.5% for all cars first used in 2012. Across 3,842 S40 first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were suspension, lamps and electrical equipment and tyres.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Volvo S40s first used in 2012 (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 2012 Volvo S40 MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, S40s first used in 2012 against all cars first used in 2012 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the S40 figure was 3.8 points lower.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2012 S40 | All cars first used 2012 | S40 first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 64.6% | 68.8% | 1,402 |
| 2022 | 63.4% | 67.4% | 1,351 |
| 2023 | 62.3% | 65.6% | 1,339 |
| 2024 | 62.5% | 64.3% | 1,284 |
| 2025 | 59.7% | 63.5% | 1,219 |
Common 2012 Volvo S40 MOT failures
Share of the 1,478 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | 20.6% | 304 |
| Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | 16.7% | 247 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | 12.5% | 185 |
| Tyre condition: has ply or cords exposed | 7.6% | 112 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 6.9% | 102 |
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 2012 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.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
Common 2012 Volvo S40 MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2012 S40s, as a share of all 3,842 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 20.5% | 789 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | 13.5% | 519 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 9.1% | 349 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 8.9% | 343 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 6.9% | 265 |
Questions about the 2012 Volvo S40 MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2012 Volvo S40?
In 2025, 59.7% of S40s first used in 2012 passed their MOT first time, against 63.5% for all cars first used in 2012. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2012 S40 most often fail its MOT on?
Suspension (in 48.3% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), lamps and electrical equipment (31.0%) and tyres (22.4%). The single most common item was “Coil spring: fractured or broken” (20.6%).
How often does a 2012 Volvo S40 fail its MOT?
In 2025, 40.3% of first tests on S40s first used in 2012 did not pass first time: 35.4% failed, and a further 4.8% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 1,478 of 3,842 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2012 Volvo S40 MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 20.5% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement” (13.5%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (9.1%), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (8.9%) and “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (6.9%).
Is a 2012 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 64.6% in 2021 to 59.7% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2012
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2012 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2012 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2012 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2012 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2012 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2012 S40?
The numbers above cover every S40 first used in 2012 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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