2021 Volvo XC40 MOT pass rate: 91.6% (20,307 tests)
Is the 2021 XC40 getting worse?
Pass rate of 2021-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 91.6% +1.0 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 91.6% +1.4 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 2021 XC40
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 1,093 | 43.7% |
| 2 | Tyres | 929 | 37.1% |
| 3 | Visibility | 160 | 6.4% |
| 4 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 92 | 3.7% |
| 5 | Suspension | 58 | 2.3% |
| 6 | Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 41 | 1.6% |
All XC40 years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 19,597 | 89.8% | +3.4 pts | 44,350 |
| 2019 | 44,614 | 90.0% | +1.6 pts | 37,176 |
| 2020 | 48,419 | 91.4% | +1.5 pts | 29,418 |
| 2021 (this page) | 20,307 | 91.6% | +1.2 pts | 27,780 |
| 2022 | 3,910 | 92.2% | +1.0 pts | 24,686 |
Weighing up which year to buy? See the full ranking: Volvo XC40 years to avoid.
- 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 2021 Volvo XC40 reliable?
2021-registered examples passed 91.6% of their MOT tests (20,307 tests, 2023–2025), +1.2 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 5 years old with a median 27,780 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2021 XC40?
The median tested example shows 27,780 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.
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.