MOT History from tests of diesel VOLVO S40s year 1998

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:46.18%

(The average a diesel VOLVO S40 year 1998 passes without issue)

Based on:2,986 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Registration plate lamp issues	813
Brake pipe excessively corroded	502
Headlamp aim out of alignment	389
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	252
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	205
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	156
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	141
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	119
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	103
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	101
Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	99
Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine \|7.4.B.3b\|	95
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	92
Registration plate issues	83
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	81
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	68
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	66
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	66
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	62
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	50
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	50
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	48
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	45
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	45
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	41
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	41
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	40
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	38
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault	37
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	36
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	34
Front brake application uneven	34
Offside Front 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\|	31
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	31
Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	30
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	30
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	30
Offside Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	29
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	28
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	27
Offside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	26
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	26
Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	26
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	26
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	25
Nearside Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	25
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	24
Offside Side repeater incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	23
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	23
Nearside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	22
Rear brake binding	22
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	22
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	21
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	21
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	20
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	20
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	20
Nearside Outer Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	19
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	18
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	18
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	18
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	17
Windscreen has damage	16
Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	16
Offside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	16
Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	15
Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	15
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	15
Offside Inner Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	15
Nearside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	15
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	15
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive \|7.3.D.3\|	14
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	14
Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour of any colour \|7.4.B.4\|	14
Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	13
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	13
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	13
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	13
Nearside Inner Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	13
Offside Outer Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	13
Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	12
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	12
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	12
Nearside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users \|1.8.A.1a\|	11
Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	11
Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	11
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	11
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	10
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	10
Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	10
Headlamp switch faulty \|1.7.1\|	10
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	10
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	10
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive \|7.3.D.3\|	9
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	9
All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	9
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	9
Offside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	9
Offside Front All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	8
Offside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users \|1.8.A.1a\|	8
Rear brake application uneven	8
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	8
Nearside Side repeater incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	8
Position lamp switch faulty \|1.1.A.1\|	8
Offside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	8
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	8
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits \|7.3.D.3\|	7
Offside Rear brake disc excessively scored \|3.5.1h\|	7
Nearside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush bonding deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	7
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	7
Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	7
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate \|3.4.1b\|	7
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	7
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	7
Nearside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	7
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	7
Rear fog lamp switch faulty \|1.3.1a\|	7
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	6
Nearside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	6
Offside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush bonding deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Offside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to obstruct correct operation of the belt \|5.2.2a\|	6
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively damaged so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	6
Nearside Front All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	6
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	6
Nearside front brake juddering severely \|3.7.A.2b\|	6
Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	6
Front Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	6
Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	6
Nearside Rear Trailing arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement \|7.2.4b\|	6
Nearside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Offside Front coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	6
Brake hose damaged	6
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	6
Offside Front Lower Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	5
Offside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Offside Rear All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	5
Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive \|7.3.D.4\|	5
Nearside Outer Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	5
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively scored \|3.5.1h\|	5
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	5
Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position \|8.4.1\|	5
Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a non-turbo charged engine \|7.4.B.3b\|	5
Offside Front front brake juddering severely \|3.7.A.2b\|	5
Nearside Rear Radius arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Nearside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	5
Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	5
Offside Rear Trailing arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Nearside Front Brake hose leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	5
Offside Front Brake hose excessively damaged \|3.6.B.4d\|	5
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	5

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	813
Brake pipe excessively corroded	502
Headlamp aim out of alignment	389
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	252
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	205
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	156
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	141
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	119
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	103
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	101
Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	99
Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine \|7.4.B.3b\|	95
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	92
Registration plate issues	83
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	81
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	68
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	66
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	66
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	62
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	50
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	50
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	48
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	45
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	45
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	41
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	41
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	40
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	38
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault	37
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	36
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	34
Front brake application uneven	34
Offside Front 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\|	31
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	31
Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	30
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	30
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	30
Offside Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	29
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	28
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	27
Offside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	26
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	26
Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	26
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	26
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	25
Nearside Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	25
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	24
Offside Side repeater incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	23
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	23
Nearside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	22
Rear brake binding	22
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	22
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	21
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	21
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	20
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	20
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	20
Nearside Outer Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	19
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	18
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	18
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	18
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	17
Windscreen has damage	16
Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	16
Offside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	16
Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	15
Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	15
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	15
Offside Inner Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	15
Nearside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	15
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	15
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive \|7.3.D.3\|	14
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	14
Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour of any colour \|7.4.B.4\|	14
Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	13
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	13
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	13
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	13
Nearside Inner Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	13
Offside Outer Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	13
Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	12
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	12
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	12
Nearside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users \|1.8.A.1a\|	11
Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	11
Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	11
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	11
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	10
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	10
Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	10
Headlamp switch faulty \|1.7.1\|	10
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	10
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	10
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive \|7.3.D.3\|	9
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	9
All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	9
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	9
Offside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	9
Offside Front All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	8
Offside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users \|1.8.A.1a\|	8
Rear brake application uneven	8
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	8
Nearside Side repeater incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	8
Position lamp switch faulty \|1.1.A.1\|	8
Offside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	8
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	8
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits \|7.3.D.3\|	7
Offside Rear brake disc excessively scored \|3.5.1h\|	7
Nearside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush bonding deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	7
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	7
Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	7
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate \|3.4.1b\|	7
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	7
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	7
Nearside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	7
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	7
Rear fog lamp switch faulty \|1.3.1a\|	7
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	6
Nearside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	6
Offside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush bonding deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Offside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to obstruct correct operation of the belt \|5.2.2a\|	6
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively damaged so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	6
Nearside Front All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	6
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	6
Nearside front brake juddering severely \|3.7.A.2b\|	6
Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	6
Front Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	6
Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	6
Nearside Rear Trailing arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement \|7.2.4b\|	6
Nearside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Offside Front coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	6
Brake hose damaged	6
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	6
Offside Front Lower Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	5
Offside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Offside Rear All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	5
Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive \|7.3.D.4\|	5
Nearside Outer Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	5
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively scored \|3.5.1h\|	5
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	5
Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position \|8.4.1\|	5
Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a non-turbo charged engine \|7.4.B.3b\|	5
Offside Front front brake juddering severely \|3.7.A.2b\|	5
Nearside Rear Radius arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Nearside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	5
Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	5
Offside Rear Trailing arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Nearside Front Brake hose leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	5
Offside Front Brake hose excessively damaged \|3.6.B.4d\|	5
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	5

MOT History from tests of diesel VOLVO S40s year 1998

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