Volvo V40 (2004)
2004 Volvo V40
CarHunch analysed 3,933 real MOT records for the 2004 Volvo V40. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2004 Volvo V40 passes its MOT first time in just 69.1% of cases, well below the UK average of 80%, and nearly half of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—a significant concern for a buyer prioritising safety. Petrol and diesel variants perform similarly poorly, both struggling around 68–70%, so fuel type won't help you dodge reliability issues.
These V40s are running at a median of 79,500 miles, which is reasonable for a 20-year-old car, but they're averaging 6 failures per test and a heavy 26.8 advisories, suggesting widespread wear across multiple systems rather than one catastrophic weak point. Before committing to purchase, get a pre-buy inspection from a specialist marque mechanic and budget for suspension, brake, and electrical work—this generation needs care and money to keep it roadworthy.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 1.6 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2004 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.
- ⚠️ 46.2% 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.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (59%) | 2,328 | 69.7% | 5.98 |
| Diesel (41%) | 1,597 | 68.1% | 6.11 |
| LPG (0%) | 7 | 70.5% | 5.86 |
| Gas Bi-Fuel (0%) | 1 | 58.8% | 7 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2004 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 2004 Volvo V40 vehicles fall between 61,818 and 98,376 miles.
2004 Volvo V40 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 595 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (17% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2004 Volvo V40
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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85.1%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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73.1%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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54%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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50.1%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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49.3%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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45.7%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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39.7%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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38.6%
Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2004. 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.