Common problems by part
Volvo V40 body and structure problems
DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 61,301 MOT tests · Updated
At 8 years, 2.2 in 100 MOT tests of the Volvo V40 failed on body and structure, against 1.8 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 61,301 MOT tests) [1].
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- Against all class 4 vehicles the same age: about average for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years), 1,354 MOT tests with a fail
- By age: seen at 11 ages from 3 to 13 years, 384,615 MOT tests
- Most common fail: Driveshaft CV boot split, 1.7 per 100 MOT tests
Figures are for the model as a whole, not for one car.
What the MOT tests show
What we know
2.2 fails per 100 MOT tests at 8 years, against 1.8 for all class 4 vehicles tested at 8 (all test years). That is about average.
Why it matters
A body and structure fail stops the car passing until it is fixed; the most common one is rated major by DVSA.
What to check
Look under the sills, jacking points and rear subframe for rot, bubbling or fresh underseal over a repair, and check every door, bonnet and boot shuts properly.
Volvo V40 body and structure fails by age
| Age | MOT tests | Fails per 100 | All class 4 vehicles the same age |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 8,437 | 0.1 | 0.3 |
| 4 | 21,537 | 0.3 | 0.3 |
| 5 | 35,008 | 0.3 | 0.5 |
| 6 | 50,386 | 0.7 | 0.8 |
| 7 | 57,938 | 1.4 | 1.3 |
| 8 | 61,301 | 2.2 | 1.8 |
| 9 | 59,038 | 3.0 | 2.3 |
| 10 | 45,585 | 3.1 | 2.9 |
| 11 | 29,652 | 2.7 | 3.5 |
| 12 | 13,467 | 3.4 | 4.3 |
| 13 | 2,266 | 4.3 | 5.0 |
All first-use years of the Volvo V40 pooled at each age, against all class 4 vehicles at that age over all 2022–2025 test years.
What fails in the body and structure at 8 years
Fails
- Driveshaft CV boot split: 1.7 fails per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 0.9. Replace CV joint boot: estimated £88–£196 (1–2 h at £78/h (ONS local-garage repair quotes, 1,058 quotes from 65 garages, Sep 2025 to Aug 2026) + parts £10–£40) Drive shaft constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt MOT fail
Advisories (not fails)
- Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot severely deteriorated: 0.7 advisories per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 0.6. Drive shaft constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (MOT minor defect)
Repair figures are estimates, not quotes: how we estimate repair costs.
Buying a Volvo V40? Check that exact car before the viewing.
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- Model risks for this year and fuel
- What similar cars did at their next MOT
- Repairs ahead
- Viewing checklist
By engine and fuel
- 2.0 diesel: 2.8 per 100 at 8 years, fails 1.2–1.4× as often as diesel class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 27,052 MOT tests)
- 1.6 diesel: 1.1 per 100 at 8 years, fails less often than diesel class 4 vehicles the same age (0.4–0.6×) (all test years; 17,419 MOT tests)
- 2.0 petrol: 2.4 per 100 at 8 years, about average for petrol class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 10,519 MOT tests)
How to check on a test drive
Look under the sills, jacking points and rear subframe for rot, bubbling or fresh underseal over a repair, and check every door, bonnet and boot shuts properly.
The most common advisory here in MOT records: Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot severely deteriorated.
Check one Volvo V40, not the average
The figures here describe Volvo V40 cars as a group. These free tools answer for one car. Each line says what the tool reads.
- Check a Volvo V40's MOT history Every MOT test, fail item, advisory and mileage reading DVSA holds for that registration.
- MOT advisory checker Paste an advisory or defect to read DVSA's wording, its grade and what tends to happen at the next MOT.
Other Volvo V40 problems
Body and structure on rival models
- BMW 1 Series body and structure problems: 0.5 per 100 MOT tests at 8 years, against 2.2 for the Volvo V40 (129,648 MOT tests)
- Citroen C4 body and structure problems: 7.1 per 100 MOT tests at 8 years, against 2.2 for the Volvo V40 (68,406 MOT tests)
- Peugeot 308 body and structure problems: 3.9 per 100 MOT tests at 8 years, against 2.2 for the Volvo V40 (51,185 MOT tests)
Questions people ask
Does the Volvo V40 have more body and structure problems than other cars?
2.2 in 100 MOT tests at 8 years, against 1.8 for all class 4 vehicles the same age: about average by our test (all test years; 61,301 MOT tests).
How common are Volvo V40 body and structure problems?
2.2 in 100 MOT tests at 8 years failed on body and structure, against 1.8 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 61,301 MOT tests).
What is the most common Volvo V40 body and structure fail?
1.7 in 100 MOT tests at 8 years: Driveshaft CV boot split (1,049 MOT tests with it).
Sources
- Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2022 to 2025. DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, 384,615 MOT tests. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.
- Office for National Statistics, Consumer price inflation, local price quotes (car repair items). ONS price quotes, series 610236. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.
Parts: against all class 4 vehicles at the same age, all 2022–2025 test years pooled, not adjusted for mileage. Breakdowns and non-MOT faults are not in this data. How we compare