Volvo V40 (2015)
2015 Volvo V40
CarHunch analysed 16,273 real MOT records for the 2015 Volvo V40. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2015 Volvo V40 edges just ahead of the UK average with an 81.4% first-time pass rate, though the concerning note is that 41.4% of vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—well above what you'd want to see. Petrol models fare slightly better at 83.2% pass rate versus 81.0% for diesel, though the diesel variants dominate the sample at 13,655 vehicles.
At a median mileage of 59,260 miles for a nine-year-old car, these V40s are running roughly in line with expectations, but they're averaging nearly 2 failures per MOT visit and racking up nearly 10 advisories each—suggesting maintenance costs will be steadier than average. Before purchasing, get a full service history and have a trusted mechanic inspect the braking system, suspension, and exhaust specifically, as these consistently feature in the advisory data for this generation.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 2.2 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2015 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.
- ⚠️ 41.4% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (84%) | 13,655 | 81% | 2.02 |
| Petrol (16%) | 2,618 | 83.2% | 1.75 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2015 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 2015 Volvo V40 vehicles fall between 45,295 and 76,150 miles.
2015 Volvo V40 — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 14,695 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 94% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2018–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2015 Volvo V40
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
57.7%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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56.1%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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35.9%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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34.2%
Offside Front Coil spring fractured or broken
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31.8%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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30.9%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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30.5%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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24.2%
Nearside Front Coil spring fractured or broken
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2015. 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.