Volvo V40 (2016)
2016 Volvo V40
CarHunch analysed 15,801 real MOT records for the 2016 Volvo V40. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2016 Volvo V40 passes its MOT slightly above the UK average at 83.8%, which is a reassuring sign for reliability—but nearly 39% of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, a figure that should concern any potential buyer and warrants a thorough pre-purchase inspection. Petrol and diesel versions perform nearly identically (84.1% and 83.7% pass rates respectively), so fuel type isn't a differentiator here.
At 55,000 miles median mileage for an eight-year-old car, these V40s are running below typical wear-and-tear expectations, yet they're averaging 1.49 failures per test and 7.8 advisories—suggesting minor issues accumulate faster than the pass rate alone indicates. Check the full MOT history for any dangerous defects before you buy, and budget for regular attention to wear items rather than expecting a trouble-free ownership experience.
What to check before buying a 2016 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.
- ⚠️ 38.8% 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 (63%) | 9,989 | 83.7% | 1.5 |
| Petrol (37%) | 5,812 | 84.1% | 1.46 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2016 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 2016 Volvo V40 vehicles fall between 41,986 and 71,026 miles.
2016 Volvo V40 — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 14,762 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 96% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2019–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2016 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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41.4%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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39.2%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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28.1%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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26.4%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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24.9%
Offside Front Coil spring fractured or broken
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20.2%
Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
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19.1%
Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
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18.7%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2016. 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.