Reliability Report · Multi-Source Data

Volvo S40 (2009–2011) Reliability

The Volvo S40 (2009–2011) scores 73/100 on our composite reliability index — good territory — drawn from DVSA, NHTSA data. Estimated used prices span €5,400–€6,900.

Composite Score
73
/ 100
Good
Sources: DVSA · NHTSA · latest 2026
Market Snapshot
Listed model years20092011
Est. used price€5,400€6,900
Documented issues0
Listings in catalogue8
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Buying a Volvo S40? Check its VIN history first

Reliability data covers the model. A VIN history report covers the exact Volvo S40 you're looking at — accident and write-off records, mileage rollback, outstanding finance and theft checks.

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Reliability by Source

Each independent organization measures reliability differently. TÜV reports inspection defect rates by age band. ADAC reports pan-European breakdowns per 1,000 vehicles. NHTSA aggregates US consumer complaints. DVSA MOT data is the UK fleet's annual safety inspection — every car 3+ years old. Lower variance across sources = higher confidence in the composite.

NHTSA (US Complaints)
Model years 2007–2013 · 2026 report · n=44
44 complaints across 4 sampled year(s); resolved model="S40"
View source ↗
86
/ 100
DVSA MOT (UK Inspections)
Model years 2004–2014 · 2024 report · n=21528
21,528 UK MOT tests · overall 37.7% fail rate vs UK fleet baseline
View source ↗
69
/ 100
DVSA MOT (UK Inspections)
Model years 2003–2013 · 2023 report · n=17996
17,996 UK MOT tests · overall 38.8% fail rate vs UK fleet baseline
View source ↗
67
/ 100

UK MOT Reliability Detail

Based on 21,528 MOT tests in the UK during the 2024 reporting period. Score for each age band reflects this model's fail rate vs the UK-fleet baseline fail rate at the same age — a generation-aware metric.

Age 1014 yrs
65
36.3% fail vs 32.1% fleet
6,305 tests
Age 1520 yrs
71
38.2% fail vs 38.8% fleet
15,223 tests

Most Common MOT Failure Categories

#1
Joints
3,495
25.7%
#2
Registration plate lamp(s)
3,062
22.5%
#3
Condition
2,821
20.8%
#4
Position lamp
2,353
17.3%
#5
Coil spring
1,855
13.7%

Categories ranked across all MOT tests of this model in the UK during the 2024 period. "Condition" covers cosmetic / wear issues; suspension and braking dominate the rest.

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