Volvo V40 (1998)
1998 Volvo V40
CarHunch analysed 9,901 real MOT records for the 1998 Volvo V40. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1998 Volvo V40 passes its MOT first time only 66% of the time, well below the UK average of 80%, and nearly 3 in 10 of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect — making this a notably unreliable proposition for a 26-year-old model. Petrol and diesel variants perform almost identically (both around 66%), so fuel choice offers no reliability advantage here.
At 109,000 miles median mileage, these V40s are relatively high-use examples for their age, yet they're still accumulating an average of 3.66 failures and 13.6 advisories per MOT, suggesting age and wear are catching up fast. If you're considering one, have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the electrical and suspension systems — the high advisory count points to niggling issues that will need constant attention.
What to check before buying a 1998 Volvo V40
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 28.3% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Volvo V40
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
CarHunch may earn a small commission if you buy via these links — at no extra cost to you.
Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (89%) | 8,847 | 66.1% | 3.76 |
| Diesel (11%) | 1,044 | 66.8% | 2.84 |
| LPG (0%) | 10 | 59.5% | 2.9 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1998 Volvo V40 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 1998 Volvo V40 vehicles fall between 88,237 and 131,443 miles.
1998 Volvo V40 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 161 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2022 (7% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2022.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1998 Volvo V40
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
59.2%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
53.5%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
44.1%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
43.8%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
38.6%
Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded
-
38.6%
Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded
-
37%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
-
36%
Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1998. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Volvo V40?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.