MOT History from tests of diesel VOLVO S40s year 1997

Review the list of common VOLVO S40 failures below or to perform a specific mot history check on your VOLVO then use our popular KnowYourCar service

mot history

Pass percent:42.44%

(The average a diesel VOLVO S40 year 1997 passes without issue)

Based on:3,186 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Registration plate lamp issues	866
Brake pipe excessively corroded	531
Headlamp aim out of alignment	433
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	313
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	233
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	186
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	182
Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine \|7.4.B.3b\|	160
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	155
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	122
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	89
Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	86
Registration plate issues	80
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	80
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	78
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	75
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	72
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	65
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	64
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	63
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	61
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	60
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	60
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	60
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	56
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	56
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	50
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	46
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	46
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	46
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	45
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	43
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	40
Rear brake binding	39
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	36
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	35
Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	35
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	33
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	32
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	32
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	30
Nearside Side repeater incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	30
Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour of any colour \|7.4.B.4\|	29
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	29
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	28
Offside Side repeater incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	27
Offside Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	27
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	27
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault	25
Nearside Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	25
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	25
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	24
Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	24
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	24
Front brake application uneven	24
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	22
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	22
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	22
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	22
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	22
Nearside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	21
Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	20
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	19
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	18
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	18
Windscreen has damage	18
Offside Inner Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	17
Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	17
All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	16
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	16
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	16
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	16
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	15
Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	15
Offside Outer Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	15
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	15
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	14
Nearside Inner Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	13
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	13
Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	13
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	13
Nearside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	12
Offside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users \|1.8.A.1a\|	12
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	11
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	11
Headlamp switch faulty \|1.7.1\|	10
Offside Front Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	10
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	10
Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	10
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	10
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	9
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	9
Nearside Outer Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	9
Offside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	9
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement \|7.2.4b\|	9
Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	9
Rear brake application uneven	8
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	8
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively scored \|3.5.1h\|	8
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	8
Nearside Front All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	8
Nearside Rear All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	8
Offside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	8
Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	8
Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	8
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	8
Front Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	8
Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	8
Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	8
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	8
Nearside Front Lower Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	8
Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position \|8.4.1\|	8
Offside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	8
Nearside Front Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	7
Offside Rear All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	7
Nearside Front Side repeater incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	7
Nearside Rear Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	7
Rear fog lamp switch faulty \|1.3.1a\|	7
Offside Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	7
Offside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	7
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	7
Nearside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users \|1.8.A.1a\|	7
Nearside Front Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	6
Offside Rear brake disc excessively scored \|3.5.1h\|	6
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	6
Offside Front coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	6
Nearside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	6
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	6
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` \|8.3.1e\|	6
Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	6
Nearside Front Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users \|1.8.A.1a\|	6
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	6
Offside Front Side repeater incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	6
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	6
Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecurely mounted to its housing \|2.5.C.1a\|	6
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	6
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate \|3.4.1b\|	6
Offside Front All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	6
Nearside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Brake hose damaged	6

We get to these numbers by trawling through over 1 billion MOT test results since 2004 and crunched the numbers. We remove anything to do with Tyres, as they are model independent and group together common non-model specific issues. We are trying to get to a picture of what models have what issues.

Please note: We take the data from the DVSA. This data is raw and can contain typos and spelling mistakes that garages may have entered while recording a MOT result. Specifically miss-match on names of models and makes. We are constantly cleaning the data so bear with the odd issue.

Got suggestions? We’re improving this section all the time. If you have any suggestions, please let us know.

Most common failures	No# failures
Registration plate lamp issues	866
Brake pipe excessively corroded	531
Headlamp aim out of alignment	433
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	313
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	233
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	186
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	182
Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine \|7.4.B.3b\|	160
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	155
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	122
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	89
Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	86
Registration plate issues	80
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	80
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	78
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	75
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	72
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	65
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	64
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	63
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	61
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	60
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	60
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	60
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	56
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	56
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	50
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	46
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	46
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	46
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	45
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	43
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	40
Rear brake binding	39
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	36
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	35
Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	35
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	33
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	32
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	32
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	30
Nearside Side repeater incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	30
Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour of any colour \|7.4.B.4\|	29
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	29
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	28
Offside Side repeater incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	27
Offside Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	27
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	27
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault	25
Nearside Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	25
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	25
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	24
Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	24
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	24
Front brake application uneven	24
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	22
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	22
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	22
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	22
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	22
Nearside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	21
Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	20
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	19
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	18
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	18
Windscreen has damage	18
Offside Inner Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	17
Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	17
All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	16
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	16
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	16
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	16
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	15
Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	15
Offside Outer Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	15
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	15
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	14
Nearside Inner Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	13
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	13
Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	13
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	13
Nearside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	12
Offside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users \|1.8.A.1a\|	12
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	11
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	11
Headlamp switch faulty \|1.7.1\|	10
Offside Front Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	10
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	10
Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	10
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	10
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	9
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	9
Nearside Outer Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	9
Offside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	9
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement \|7.2.4b\|	9
Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	9
Rear brake application uneven	8
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	8
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively scored \|3.5.1h\|	8
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	8
Nearside Front All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	8
Nearside Rear All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	8
Offside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	8
Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	8
Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	8
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	8
Front Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	8
Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	8
Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	8
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	8
Nearside Front Lower Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	8
Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position \|8.4.1\|	8
Offside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	8
Nearside Front Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	7
Offside Rear All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	7
Nearside Front Side repeater incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	7
Nearside Rear Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	7
Rear fog lamp switch faulty \|1.3.1a\|	7
Offside Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	7
Offside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	7
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	7
Nearside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users \|1.8.A.1a\|	7
Nearside Front Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	6
Offside Rear brake disc excessively scored \|3.5.1h\|	6
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	6
Offside Front coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	6
Nearside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	6
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	6
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` \|8.3.1e\|	6
Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	6
Nearside Front Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users \|1.8.A.1a\|	6
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	6
Offside Front Side repeater incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	6
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	6
Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecurely mounted to its housing \|2.5.C.1a\|	6
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	6
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate \|3.4.1b\|	6
Offside Front All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	6
Nearside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Brake hose damaged	6

MOT History from tests of diesel VOLVO S40s year 1997

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