Volvo V40 (2017)
2017 Volvo V40
CarHunch analysed 13,774 real MOT records for the 2017 Volvo V40. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2017 Volvo V40 passes its MOT on first attempt 86.2% of the time, comfortably beating the UK average of 80%—but the headline masks a serious concern: nearly a third of these cars (33.9%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is substantially higher than typical and worth investigating on any used example you're considering. Petrol and diesel variants perform almost identically (86.7% and 85.5% pass rates respectively), so fuel choice isn't a reliability differentiator here.
At a median mileage of 36,276 miles for a seven-year-old car, these V40s are running relatively low, suggesting light use and gentle treatment. The average car racks up 1.13 failures and 6.3 advisories per test cycle, pointing to wear-and-tear issues rather than systemic design flaws, but before you buy one, get a pre-purchase inspection that specifically checks the brake system, suspension, and steering components—the areas where those dangerous defects typically emerge.
What to check before buying a 2017 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.
- ⚠️ 33.9% 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 (54%) | 7,469 | 86.7% | 1.08 |
| Diesel (46%) | 6,304 | 85.5% | 1.19 |
| Other (0%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2017 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 2017 Volvo V40 vehicles fall between 26,763 and 47,006 miles.
2017 Volvo V40 — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 13,060 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 98% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2020–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2017 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 2017. 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.