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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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 2024reporting 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 2024period. "Condition" covers cosmetic / wear issues; suspension and braking dominate the rest.

Compare Against Alternatives

See how the Volvo S40 stacks up against direct rivals — same segment, similar price band, side-by-side risk + reliability.

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