Does the Volvo V40 fail the MOT on suspension more than it should?
The Volvo V40 records 12.34 suspension failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 8.18 expected for a car of the same age mix: more than expected for its class and age (+4.16, 95% interval +4.07 to +4.25). It ranks 135 of 701 models on suspension (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on suspension · check a Volvo V40 by registration
What exactly fails on suspension?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Volvo V40 is “A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened”, recorded 40,866 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 40,866 | 7.28 |
| A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated | 8,694 | 1.55 |
| A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 7,252 | 1.29 |
| A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 5,678 | 1.01 |
| A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage | 1,643 | 0.29 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 561,232 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
If a Volvo V40 gets a suspension advisory, how often does it fail next time?
19.9% of Volvo V40 MOTs with a suspension advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12 months and 5,680 miles later (22,408 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 22,408 (advisories followed) · Method: the same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
Volvo V40 1998 · Volvo V40 1999 · Volvo V40 2000 · Volvo V40 2001 · Volvo V40 2002 · Volvo V40 2003 · Volvo V40 2004 · Volvo V40 2012 · Volvo V40 2013 · Volvo V40 2014 · Volvo V40 2015 · Volvo V40 2016 · Volvo V40 2017 · Volvo V40 2018 · Volvo V40 2019 · Volvo V40 in Norway · Volvo V40 in Finland · Volvo V40 in the Netherlands · Volvo V40 by postcode area · Volvo V40 body, chassis and structure failures · Volvo V40 brakes failures · Volvo V40 vehicle identification failures · Volvo V40 lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Volvo V40 noise, emissions and leaks failures · Volvo V40 road wheels failures · Volvo V40 seat belts and airbags failures · Volvo V40 steering failures · Volvo V40 tyres failures · Volvo V40 visibility failures