Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2021 Volvo Xc40 R Design T4 Recharge Auto?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2021 Volvo Xc40 R Design T4 Recharge Auto?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2021 Volvo Xc40 R Design T4 Recharge Auto?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Is the 2021 Volvo Xc40 R Design T4 Recharge Auto reliable?

Based on MOT data from 1,832 vehicles, the 2021 Volvo Xc40 R Design T4 Recharge Auto has a first-time MOT pass rate of 94.6%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2021 Volvo Xc40 R Design T4 Recharge Auto?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

CarHunch

Get Started

Volvo Xc40 R Design T4 Recharge Auto (2021)

1,832 real MOT outcomes analysed • 94.6% first-time pass rate

2021 Volvo Xc40 R Design T4 Recharge Auto

CarHunch analysed 1,832 real MOT records for the 2021 Volvo Xc40 R Design T4 Recharge Auto. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

On this page

AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

This XC40 Recharge is a strong performer, passing first-time MOT in 92.7% of cases—well above the UK average of 80%—with only 5.9% of vehicles ever showing a dangerous defect, which is reassuringly low. The hybrid-electric powertrain is proving reliable in practice.

At 36,918 miles median for a 2021 model, these cars are running relatively lightly, and that's reflected in the sparse failure rate of just 0.17 per vehicle, though advisories do average 1.3. If you're considering one, the MOT history suggests this is a solid bet—but still get a pre-purchase inspection to check the battery health and hybrid system, since specialist repairs can be expensive if something does go wrong.

The 2021 Volvo Xc40 R Design T4 Recharge Auto passes its MOT first time more often than most UK vehicles (94.6% vs ~80% average) — and when it does fail, it's usually something minor and cheap to fix.

⚠️ Around 1 in 20 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

94.6%

UK average ~80%

Better than average

Dangerous (ever)

5.9%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.17

Over 2.2 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

37k

Middle half: 27k–53k

For context

✅ Good baseline reliability. A 94.6% first-time pass rate puts this well above the UK average — it's a well-sorted vehicle in this age bracket.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 1,832 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

A solid choice — agree?

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 1,832 Volvo Xc40 R Design T4 Recharge Auto cars.

Before you buy a 2021 Volvo Xc40 R Design T4 Recharge Auto

Based on MOT data from 1,832 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 5.9% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Hybrid Electric (Clean) (100%)	1,828	94.6%	0.17

Colour Breakdown

Based on 2,692 Volvo Xc40 R Design T4 Recharge Auto vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 42.3%

1,140

Grey 21%

565

Silver 11%

297

Blue 9.1%

245

White 8.4%

227

Red 8.1%

218

Mileage Distribution

Most 2021 Volvo Xc40 R Design T4 Recharge Auto vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

36,918

typical

26,887

low mileage

52,876

high mileage

Half of all 2021 Volvo Xc40 R Design T4 Recharge Auto vehicles fall between 26,887 and 52,876 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 26,887 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 26,887–52,876 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2021 Volvo Xc40 R Design T4 Recharge Autos sit.

⚠ Over 71,382 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

MOT History Averages

2.2

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.17

Avg failures per vehicle

1.3

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Volvo Xc40 R Design T4 Recharge Auto: All Xc40 R Design T4 Recharge Auto years → Which year to buy? →

2020 2022

Or browse all models: Volvo →

Compare with another model

See how the 2021 Volvo Xc40 R Design T4 Recharge Auto stacks up against a rival.

A solid choice — agree?