Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2013 Volvo V40?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2013 Volvo V40?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2013 Volvo V40?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2013 Volvo V40 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

45% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2013 Volvo V40 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 12,628 vehicles, the 2013 Volvo V40 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 81.5%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2013 Volvo V40?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2013 Volvo V40 are: Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (57.7% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (56.1% of vehicles), Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (35.9% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2013 Volvo V40?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Volvo V40 (2013)

12,628 real MOT outcomes analysed • 81.5% first-time pass rate

2013 Volvo V40

CarHunch analysed 12,628 real MOT records for the 2013 Volvo V40. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

On this page

AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Petrol vs Diesel Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2013 Volvo V40 passes its MOT just above the UK average at 81.5%, but nearly half of these cars (45.1%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—a genuinely concerning figure that demands a thorough pre-purchase inspection. Petrol versions are notably more reliable, passing at 88.1% versus 81.1% for the diesel-heavy fleet, so if you're choosing between the two, the petrol is the safer bet.

At 71,712 miles median, these V40s are running slightly below average wear for their age, yet they're accumulating 2.34 failures and 12.9 advisories per vehicle, suggesting suspension, lighting, and wear items are common trouble spots. Before buying one, get an independent check focused on its full MOT history—particularly any record of dangerous defects—because the headline pass rate masks real durability issues below the surface.

The 2013 Volvo V40 has a decent first-time pass rate (81.5%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

81.5%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

45.1%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

2.34

Over 11.6 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

72k

Middle half: 55k–92k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 12.9 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 12,628 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 12,628 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 57.7%

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 35.9%

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Suspension & steering 34.2%

Offside Front Coil spring fractured or broken · Nearside Front Coil spring fractured or broken

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Other issues 17.5%

Nearside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt · Oil leak, but not excessive

Exhaust & emissions 12.5%

Exhaust emissions exceed manufacturer's specified limit

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2013.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 12,628 Volvo V40 cars.

Petrol vs Diesel

Pass rate difference of 7.1 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.

88.2%

Petrol

734 vehicles

81.1%

Diesel

11,891 vehicles

Before you buy a 2013 Volvo V40

Based on MOT data from 12,628 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 45.1% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Diesel (94%)	11,891	81.1%	2.41
Petrol (6%)	734	88.2%	1.29

Colour Breakdown

Based on 169,766 Volvo V40 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Blue 20.8%

35,315

Silver 16.6%

28,152

Black 15%

25,474

Grey 12.6%

21,399

Red 12.1%

20,504

White 9.7%

16,458

Green 6.8%

11,503

Maroon 2%

3,339

Bronze 1.6%

2,663

Gold 1.3%

2,154

Purple 0.9%

1,527

Beige 0.8%

1,278

Mileage Distribution

Most 2013 Volvo V40 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

71,712

typical

54,719

low mileage

91,842

high mileage

Half of all 2013 Volvo V40 vehicles fall between 54,719 and 91,842 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 54,719 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 54,719–91,842 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2013 Volvo V40s sit.

⚠ Over 123,986 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2013 Volvo V40 — Still on the Road

Most 2013 Volvo V40s are still being driven.

Strong survival — 10,637 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 89% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2016–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

11.6

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

2.34

Avg failures per vehicle

12.9

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Volvo V40: All V40 years → Which year to buy? →

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2012 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Or browse all models: Volvo →

Compare with another model

See how the 2013 Volvo V40 stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing