Volvo V40 (2018)
2018 Volvo V40
CarHunch analysed 12,927 real MOT records for the 2018 Volvo V40. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2018 Volvo V40 passes its MOT first time at 86.8%, which is a solid 6.8 percentage points above the UK average, suggesting good overall reliability. However, nearly 30% of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is significantly higher than typical and worth factoring into your buying decision as a potential red flag for safety-critical issues.
At 32,732 miles median for a six-year-old car, these V40s are running relatively light, so you're looking at used stock that hasn't been thrashed. The average vehicle racks up 0.89 failures and 5.0 advisories per test, indicating minor wear items rather than structural problems—but run a full pre-purchase inspection focusing on brake and suspension components, as these tend to be where the dangerous defects are cropping up.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 1.5 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2018 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.
- ⚠️ 29.5% 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 (74%) | 9,562 | 87.2% | 0.86 |
| Diesel (26%) | 3,365 | 85.7% | 0.98 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2018 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 2018 Volvo V40 vehicles fall between 24,185 and 43,107 miles.
2018 Volvo V40 — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 12,528 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 100% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2021–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2018 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 2018. 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.