Volvo S40 car check
Find out if a Volvo S40 has outstanding finance, has been written off or stolen, how many owners it’s had, and which known problems apply to the generation you’re looking at.
Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian. Results in under a minute.
- Typical price
- £2,96813 at dealers
- MOT failure rate
- 27.3%248k tests
- Known problems
- 5across Mk1 to Mk2
- Full report
- £7.49one-off, no subscription
Which S40 are you looking at?
Each S40 generation has its own weak spots. Pick the one you’re viewing to see what to check.
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Suspension component failure - pins, bushes and joints
Safety risk Mk1, Mk2The S40 shows an exceptionally high failure rate for suspension pins, bushes and joints across all engine variants, with MOT data showing up to 1734.0 times the national fleet average failure rate. The most critical failures involve suspension components likely to become detached, reaching 1734.0 times the fleet average on diesel variants. This affects front lower arm bushes, anti-roll bar links, and rear suspension mounting points. The high failure rate appears across both generations and all mileage bands from 20,000 miles upward.
What to check: Walk around the car and look under each wheel arch for any obviously displaced or hanging components. Check for uneven tyre wear patterns, particularly on the inside or outside edges which indicates alignment problems from worn suspension bushes. Push down firmly on each corner of the car and rel...
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Brake hose and ferrule corrosion
Safety risk Mk1, Mk2Brake hose ferrules corrode at 106.6 times the fleet average on the S40, with flexible brake hoses deteriorating at 106.6 times the fleet average. This affects 1,317 recorded MOT failures across both generations. The metal ferrules that crimp the brake hoses to the rigid brake lines are particularly susceptible to corrosion from road salt. Brake hose deterioration appears from as low as 20,000 miles on some variants, indicating a fundamental design or material issue with the brake hydraulic system.
What to check: Examine all visible flexible brake hoses at each wheel, looking for cracking, swelling, chafing, or deterioration of the rubber. Pay particular attention to where hoses attach to brake calipers and where they connect to metal brake lines. Check the metal ferrules (crimped connections) for green c...
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Steering rack gaiter deterioration
Wear item Mk1, Mk2Steering rack gaiters and ball joint dust covers fail at 173.0 times the national fleet average on the S40, with over 2,200 MOT failures recorded. The rubber gaiters that protect the steering rack from dirt and moisture deteriorate prematurely, allowing contamination into the steering mechanism. This is particularly severe on 1.6-litre petrol variants from as low as 20,000 miles. Once split, the gaiters allow road dirt and salt to contaminate the steering rack internals.
What to check: Turn the steering wheel to full lock in both directions while stationary. Look through the wheel spokes at the steering rack gaiters (rubber boots) visible behind each front wheel. Look for splits, tears, or obvious deterioration. Check for grease or oil deposits around the gaiter area, indicatin...
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Power steering system failure
Wear item Mk1, Mk2The S40 experiences power steering failures at 173.0 times the fleet average, with both fluid leaks and system malfunctions documented across 1,314 MOT failures. The hydraulic power steering pump, high-pressure pipes, and reservoir commonly develop leaks from 40,000 miles. Power steering pipe corrosion reaches 173.0 times the fleet average on 2.0-litre petrol variants. Both the pump itself and the metal pipes are prone to failure on this model.
What to check: Check the power steering fluid reservoir (usually located near the brake fluid reservoir) for fluid level and condition. Dark, burnt-smelling fluid indicates overheated pump components. Look under the engine bay and beneath the car for red hydraulic fluid stains, particularly around the power ste...
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Emissions system failure
Engine damage risk Mk1, Mk2The 1.8-litre petrol variants show severe emissions problems, failing MOT tests at This is coupled with excessive blue and black smoke emission at The pattern suggests fundamental engine wear or emissions control system failure specific to the 1.8-litre units, becoming critical above 80,000 miles. Both catalyst efficiency and engine oil consumption appear to be involved in this high failure rate.
What to check: Check the engine oil level on the dipstick - 8-litre engines prone to oil consumption may show low levels between services. Examine the exhaust tailpipe for black carbon deposits or blue oil residue, indicating combustion problems. Ask the seller about oil consumption between services - excessive...
We haven’t flagged any common problems for this generation in our data yet. A history check still tells you about finance, write-offs and theft, and the MOT history shows how this particular car has been looked after.
What S40s cost at dealers now
From 13 used S40s we track on UK dealer websites.
- Typical asking price
- £2,968
- Typical mileage
- 87,962 miles
- Price change vs last month
- -24.8%
S40 MOT results
of S40 MOT tests end in a fail, from 247,962 tests.
Most common reasons for failing
- Suspension ball joints wornSuspension
- Power steering faultSteering
- Brake hoses perished or damagedBrakes
Check the S40 you’re buying
One report covers outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and previous owners from Experian, plus MOT history, mileage and the known problems for its generation.
Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian.
What the check includes
- Outstanding finance Experian
- Write-off status Experian
- Stolen vehicle check Experian
- Previous owners and keeper history Experian
- MOT history and advisories DVSA
- Mileage check DVSA
- Known problems for its generation GetCarWise
- How many are left on the road DVLA
S40 questions
Is the Volvo S40 reliable?
27.3% of S40 models fail their MOT based on 247,962 tests analysed. That’s below average for the class. There are 5 known problems to watch for, the most serious being suspension component failure - pins, bushes and joints. A full history check shows whether a specific car has had related write-offs or insurance claims.
What are the main problems with a Volvo S40?
The most serious known issues are suspension component failure - pins, bushes and joints, brake hose and ferrule corrosion, steering rack gaiter deterioration. Problems vary by generation, so check which apply to the year you’re looking at. Our car check flags whether a specific S40 has been written off or had insurance claims linked to these faults.
How do I check if a Volvo S40 has outstanding finance?
Enter the registration on this page. We query Experian’s finance database and return any outstanding agreements within a minute. If finance is still owed, the finance company can legally repossess the car even after you’ve paid the seller. At £7.49 it’s the cheapest way to avoid a car that isn’t legally for sale.
How do I check if a Volvo S40 has been written off?
Our check queries Experian’s insurance write-off database for Cat A, B, S and N markers. A Cat S or N S40 has been structurally or non-structurally damaged and repaired. This doesn’t mean it’s unsafe, but it affects resale value and some insurers won’t cover it. The check costs £7.49.
Can I check a Volvo S40 for free?
You can check MOT history free on GOV.UK, which shows past test results and advisories. What it won’t show is outstanding finance, write-offs or theft markers, which are the things that actually cost you money after you’ve bought. Our full check adds all of that for £7.49, using Experian data.
Is a Volvo S40 HPI check worth it?
HPI is one brand of car check. Our check uses the same Experian data covering finance, stolen, write-off and keeper history, plus MOT analysis and known S40 faults that HPI doesn’t include. At £7.49 it’s typically less than half the price of an HPI check.
What does a Volvo S40 fail its MOT on?
The most common MOT failure on the S40 is suspension ball joints worn. 27.3% of S40 models fail overall, based on 247,962 tests. Checking a car’s full MOT history before buying shows you recurring problems the seller might not mention.
More on the S40
Other Volvo car checks
Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian. MOT data from DVSA. Known problems from GetCarWise analysis. Updated October 2026.