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Volvo V40 car check

Find out if a Volvo V40 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
£8,995440 at dealers
MOT failure rate
23.5%372k tests
Known problems
5across V40-1 to V40-2
Full report
£7.49one-off, no subscription

Which V40 are you looking at?

Each V40 generation has its own weak spots. Pick the one you’re viewing to see what to check.

  1. Coil spring fracture

    Safety risk V40-2

    The second-generation V40 suffers from premature coil spring fractures, particularly affecting the rear springs. MOT data shows this model fails at 14.5 times the national fleet average for spring fractures, with failures occurring even on low-mileage examples. The fractures typically occur at the end coils where stress concentrates, and can happen without warning. This is a widespread issue across multiple engine variants and represents a significant safety defect that can cause sudden loss of vehicle control.

    What to check: Walk around the car and visually inspect the vehicle's stance - look for any corner sitting noticeably lower than others, which indicates a broken spring. Look through the wheel spokes at each corner to examine the coil springs for obvious fractures, particularly at the top and bottom coils where...

  2. Brake hose deterioration

    Safety risk V40-1

    First-generation V40 models suffer from premature brake hose deterioration, with MOT failures at up to 24.3 times the national fleet average. The flexible brake hoses connecting the brake lines to the wheels are particularly susceptible to cracking, bulging, and internal deterioration with age. This is a critical safety issue as brake hose failure can cause complete loss of braking ability on the affected wheel or circuit.

    What to check: Visually inspect all four flexible brake hoses (connecting the rigid brake lines to each wheel) for any external cracking, bulging, chafing against suspension components, or signs of brake fluid leakage. Check the brake fluid reservoir level - unexplained fluid loss may indicate brake hose leakag...

  3. DPF blockage and excessive smoke emission

    Wear item V40-2

    This affects both the 1.6 and 2.0-litre diesel engines and occurs across all mileage ranges. The DPF system struggles with short journeys and urban driving patterns common in the UK, leading to incomplete regeneration cycles and progressive filter clogging.

    What to check: Check the exhaust tailpipe for excessive black soot deposits, which indicate poor combustion or DPF regeneration issues. Ask the seller about recent DPF warning lights on the dashboard and whether any forced regeneration procedures have been carried out. Check the service history for evidence of ...

  4. Suspension joint and bush wear

    Wear item V40-1

    The first-generation V40 shows exceptional wear rates in suspension bushes and joints, with MOT failures at up to 78 times the national fleet average. This particularly affects the front wishbone bushes, anti-roll bar links, and rear beam mounting bushes. The issue is most severe on petrol models and becomes progressively worse with age, indicating a design weakness in the rubber compound or mounting geometry.

    What to check: Push down firmly on each corner of the car and listen for any knocking, creaking, or grinding noises that indicate worn bushes or joints. Visually inspect the visible suspension components through the wheel arches for obviously split or deteriorated rubber bushes. Look for any oil or grease leaki...

  5. Suspension joint dust cover deterioration

    Wear item V40-1

    First-generation V40 models have a documented problem with suspension joint dust covers deteriorating prematurely, failing at 17.3 times the national fleet average. These rubber boots protect ball joints, CV joints, and steering rack gaiters from dirt and water ingress. Once torn, they allow contamination that accelerates wear of the protected components, leading to expensive joint replacement.

    What to check: Inspect all visible CV joint boots (rubber covers at each end of the driveshafts) for splits, tears, or grease leakage around the wheel hubs. Look at the steering rack gaiters (rubber boots where the steering rack connects to the track rods) for damage or missing sections. Check ball joint dust c...

What V40s cost at dealers now

From 440 used V40s we track on UK dealer websites.

Typical asking price
£8,995
Typical mileage
64,886 miles
Price change vs last month
-2.3%

V40 MOT results

23.5%

of V40 MOT tests end in a fail, from 371,724 tests.

Most common reasons for failing

  1. Emissions failureExhaust & Emissions
  2. Suspension ball joints wornSuspension
  3. Fuel pipe or hose damagedBodywork

Check the V40 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

V40 questions

Is the Volvo V40 reliable?

23.5% of V40 models fail their MOT based on 371,724 tests analysed. That’s about average for the class. There are 5 known problems to watch for, the most serious being coil spring fracture. 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 V40?

The most serious known issues are coil spring fracture, brake hose deterioration, dpf blockage and excessive smoke emission. Problems vary by generation, so check which apply to the year you’re looking at. Our car check flags whether a specific V40 has been written off or had insurance claims linked to these faults.

How do I check if a Volvo V40 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, you can check before you buy.

How do I check if a Volvo V40 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 V40 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 V40 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.

What does a Volvo V40 fail its MOT on?

The most common MOT failure on the V40 is emissions failure. 23.5% of V40 models fail overall, based on 371,724 tests. Checking a car’s full MOT history before buying shows you recurring problems the seller might not mention.

More on the V40

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Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian. MOT data from DVSA. Known problems from GetCarWise analysis. Updated October 2026.