Volvo V40 (2019)

8,113 real MOT outcomes analysed • 88.4% first-time pass rate

2019 Volvo V40

CarHunch analysed 8,113 real MOT records for the 2019 Volvo V40. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

The 2019 Volvo V40 passes its MOT first time at 88.4%, well above the UK average of 80%, which is genuinely reassuring—though the fact that over a quarter (25.3%) have recorded dangerous defects at some point should give prospective buyers pause. Petrol models edge ahead of diesels at 88.8% versus 87.1% pass rates, a modest but measurable difference worth noting if you're choosing between fuel types.

At just under 29,000 miles median, these cars are running light for five-year-olds, suggesting either careful ownership or limited use—either way, a positive sign for durability. The average of 0.65 failures per vehicle is low, but advisories average 3.7, indicating routine wear items rather than structural problems; have any prospective purchase independently inspected, particularly around brake and suspension components given the dangerous defect prevalence.

Below average reliability 8.4% above UK average
88.4%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
28,931
typical mileage
20,761–38,047 middle half
25.3%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0.65
avg MOT failures per car
over 4.8 tests on record

Petrol vs Diesel

Pass rate difference of 1.7 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.

88.8%
Petrol
6,335 vehicles
87.1%
Diesel
1,777 vehicles

What to check before buying a 2019 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.
  • ⚠️ 25.3% 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 (78%) 6,335 88.8% 0.63
Diesel (22%) 1,777 87.1% 0.73
Other (0%) 1 100% 0

Mileage Distribution

Most 2019 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.

20,761
low mileage
28,931
typical
38,047
high mileage

Half of all 2019 Volvo V40 vehicles fall between 20,761 and 38,047 miles.

2019 Volvo V40 — Still on the Road

Strong survival — 7,922 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 100% of the peak.

403 7,922 2021 2025

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

4.8
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.65
Avg failures per vehicle
3.7
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 2019 Volvo V40

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

  • 28%
    Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
  • 26.6%
    Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
  • 19.9%
    Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
  • 19.2%
    Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
  • 17.9%
    Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
  • 17.2%
    Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
  • 10.1%
    Offside Front Coil spring fractured or broken
  • 7.1%
    Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2019. 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.

UK

Other model years — Volvo V40:

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018