2004 Volvo S40 MOT pass rate: 60.9% (3,454 tests)
Is the 2004 S40 getting worse?
Pass rate of 2004-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 60.2% -3.7 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 59.9% -4.2 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 63.1% -2.2 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2004 S40
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 1,021 | 21.7% |
| 2 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 1,002 | 21.3% |
| 3 | Suspension | 996 | 21.2% |
| 4 | Body, chassis, structure | 380 | 8.1% |
| 5 | Tyres | 362 | 7.7% |
| 6 | Noise, emissions and leaks | 313 | 6.7% |
All S40 years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 1,963 | 58.8% | -6.2 pts | 98,735 |
| 2004 (this page) | 3,454 | 60.9% | -3.5 pts | 101,138 |
| 2005 | 4,307 | 62.5% | -1.9 pts | 113,623 |
| 2006 | 4,994 | 66.0% | +1.6 pts | 113,842 |
| 2007 | 5,442 | 65.1% | +0.0 pts | 115,700 |
| 2008 | 8,646 | 64.4% | -0.7 pts | 109,852 |
| 2009 | 7,098 | 64.3% | -2.1 pts | 104,242 |
| 2010 | 5,794 | 64.4% | -3.0 pts | 105,400 |
| 2011 | 4,320 | 62.9% | -6.3 pts | 104,275 |
| 2012 | 3,807 | 66.4% | -4.8 pts | 97,632 |
- Free MOT history checkThe exact car’s failures, advisories and mileage trail — sellers can’t edit it
- Topdon OBD2 scannersTopdon diagnostic scanners with full-system readouts
- XTOOL diagnostic toolsXTOOL code readers for petrol and diesel cars
- Autel UK testersAutel professional-grade diagnostic testers
FAQs
Is a 2004 Volvo S40 reliable?
2004-registered examples passed 60.9% of their MOT tests (3,454 tests, 2023–2025), -3.5 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 22 years old with a median 101,138 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2004 S40?
The median tested example shows 101,138 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Should I buy the petrol or diesel 2004 S40?
In this cohort petrols pass 62.0% of tests against 57.1% for diesels. Mileage and use can explain part of that gap, so treat it as a reason to inspect DPF and emissions history, not a fuel-type verdict.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.