Car statistics
How many Volvo S40s are still on the road in Great Britain, how many are declared off the road, how new registrations have changed and which fuels they use. Built from DVLA licensing records and 15,238 DVSA MOT tests.
There were 12,752 Volvo S40s licensed in Great Britain at the end of March 2026, and a further 5,184 declared off the road (SORN). That is 84.4% fewer than the peak of 81,834 in 2008.
Numbers peaked in 2008 and have fallen every year since, as older cars are scrapped faster than new ones are registered.
| Year | Licensed |
|---|---|
| 1994 | 1 |
| 1995 | 0 |
| 1996 | 2,896 |
| 1997 | 12,156 |
| 1998 | 23,327 |
| 1999 | 34,413 |
| 2000 | 43,287 |
| 2001 | 50,707 |
| 2002 | 57,290 |
| 2003 | 62,334 |
| 2004 | 68,453 |
| 2005 | 74,183 |
| 2006 | 77,463 |
| 2007 | 79,199 |
| 2008 | 81,834 |
| 2009 | 80,817 |
| 2010 | 78,623 |
| 2011 | 73,995 |
| 2012 | 69,137 |
| 2013 | 62,851 |
| 2014 | 56,520 |
| 2015 | 51,225 |
| 2016 | 46,139 |
| 2017 | 41,018 |
| 2018 | 36,230 |
| 2019 | 31,889 |
| 2020 | 28,237 |
| 2021 | 24,782 |
| 2022 | 21,761 |
| 2023 | 18,729 |
| 2024 | 15,925 |
| 2025 | 13,438 |
| 2026 | 12,752 |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
The Volvo S40 Sport Lux has its own page. The figures above include every version; each version page covers only the cars DVLA records under that version’s name.
| Version | Licensed | SORN |
|---|---|---|
| Volvo S40 Sport Lux | 64 | 52 |
In 2025, 57.7% of Volvo S40 MOT tests were passed first time, against 72.8% for all cars. Cars of the same ages as the Volvo S40s tested pass 60.0% of the time, so the Volvo S40 does worse than average for its age, by 2.3 points. In 2024 its pass rate was 56.8%.
Comparing like with like: each bar pair covers cars of the same age, so an older average age does not count against a model.
| Vehicle age | Volvo S40 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 11–14 years | 58.0% | 65.5% |
| 15–19 years | 58.4% | 58.0% |
| 20+ years | 55.7% | 61.0% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment is the most common reason a Volvo S40 fails its MOT, appearing on 44.0% of failed tests. A failed test can have defects in more than one category, so shares add up to more than 100%. 12.5% of Volvo S40 tests found at least one dangerous defect, against 7.3% for all cars.
| Defect category | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 44.0% |
| Suspension | 43.3% |
| Brakes | 24.2% |
| Tyres | 20.3% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 18.4% |
| Visibility | 13.8% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 11.3% |
| Steering | 11.2% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
The single most common reason a Volvo S40 failed its MOT in 2025 was “Position lamp: not working”, on 14.8% of 6,448 failed tests. 67.5% of tests ended with at least one advisory, a problem to watch that did not fail the test; the most common was “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge”. The same fault on any wheel or side counts once.
Share of failed tests with each defect. A test can fail for more than one.
| Defect | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Position lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 14.8% |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken Suspension | 13.5% |
| Drive shafts: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Body, chassis, structure | 11.5% |
| Suspension arms: pin or bush excessively worn Suspension | 8.0% |
| Tyres: ply or cords exposed Tyres | 7.2% |
| Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 6.6% |
| Tyres: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm Tyres | 6.5% |
| Parking brake efficiency below requirements Brakes | 6.4% |
| Suspension arms: ball joint excessively worn Suspension | 6.1% |
| Headlamp: not working on dipped beam Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 5.9% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Share of all tests with each advisory: worth checking on a car you are buying.
| Advisory | Share of tests |
|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge Tyres | 22.9% |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Brakes | 12.2% |
| Suspension arms: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Suspension | 11.5% |
| Tyres: slightly damaged or cracking or perishing Tyres | 9.8% |
| Engine oil leak, but not excessive Noise, emissions and leaks | 8.9% |
| Brake pads: wearing thin Brakes | 8.9% |
| Coil spring: corroded Suspension | 7.2% |
| Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened Suspension | 5.3% |
| Registration plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread Identification of the vehicle | 5.1% |
| Exhaust system: minor leak of exhaust gases Body, chassis, structure | 4.5% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
10 years of the Volvo S40, by year of first registration, have their own page with MOT results, common faults, mileage and how many are left. Against all cars of the same age, the 2006 cars did best at their 2025 MOT (60.3% passed first time) and the 2003 cars worst (51.7%).
| Year | Registered | Left | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | – | 866 | 51.7% |
| 2004 | – | 1,284 | 54.8% |
| 2005 | – | 1,534 | 57.4% |
| 2006 | – | 1,599 | 60.3% |
| 2007 | – | 1,684 | 58.9% |
| 2008 | – | 2,604 | 57.9% |
| 2009 | – | 2,146 | 57.6% |
| 2010 | – | 1,822 | 58.6% |
| 2011 | – | 1,365 | 57.0% |
| 2012 | – | 1,250 | 59.7% |
Registered: cars on the DVLA record at the end of the year they were first registered (these counts start in 2014, so older years show a dash). Left: licensed or declared SORN at the end of 2025. Both cover the United Kingdom. Pass rate: first-time passes at normal MOT tests in Great Britain in 2025; all cars: every car first registered the same year.
The average Volvo S40 covers 5,587 miles a year, worked out from odometer readings at consecutive MOT tests.
| Vehicle age | Miles a year |
|---|---|
| 11–14 years | 6,705 |
| 15–19 years | 5,779 |
| 20+ years | 4,259 |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Registrations of Volvo S40s for the first time in Great Britain were highest at 7,989 in 2001, when this data begins. In 2025, 3 were registered. With almost none registered new, the number on the road is likely to keep falling.
| Year | First registrations |
|---|---|
| ’01 | 7,989 |
| ’02 | 6,733 |
| ’03 | 6,133 |
| ’04 | 6,613 |
| ’05 | 6,988 |
| ’06 | 5,435 |
| ’07 | 4,570 |
| ’08 | 6,313 |
| ’09 | 4,165 |
| ’10 | 3,405 |
| ’11 | 2,130 |
| ’12 | 1,651 |
| ’13 | 66 |
| ’14 | 9 |
| ’15 | 12 |
| ’16 | 9 |
| ’17 | 3 |
| ’18 | 2 |
| ’19 | 2 |
| ’20 | 2 |
| ’21 | 2 |
| ’22 | 4 |
| ’23 | 0 |
| ’24 | 2 |
| ’25 | 3 |
Source:DfT / DVLA 2001 to 2025 Updated
Of the 13,993 Volvo S40s licensed in the UK at the end of 2025, 42.6% have an engine of 1,501cc to 1,600cc, and 31.5% have an engine of 1,901cc to 2,000cc. The share with an engine of 1,501cc to 1,600cc has grown from 30.5% in 2014 to 42.6%. Diesels made up 40.7% of those licensed in 2014 and 47.4% in 2025.
DVLA records engine size in 100cc bands.
| Engine size | Share of those licensed |
|---|---|
| 1,501cc to 1,600cc 5,964 licensed | 42.6% |
| 1,901cc to 2,000cc 4,412 licensed | 31.5% |
| 1,701cc to 1,800cc 2,185 licensed | 15.6% |
| 2,401cc to 2,500cc 887 licensed | 6.3% |
| 1,801cc to 1,900cc 332 licensed | 2.4% |
| Other sizes 213 licensed | 1.5% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
| Engine size | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,901–2,000cc | Diesel | 3,087 | 22.1% |
| 1,501–1,600cc | Diesel | 3,018 | 21.6% |
| 1,501–1,600cc | Petrol | 2,944 | 21.0% |
| 1,701–1,800cc | Petrol | 2,170 | 15.5% |
| 1,901–2,000cc | Petrol | 1,323 | 9.5% |
| 2,401–2,500cc | Petrol | 596 | 4.3% |
| 2,401–2,500cc | Diesel | 288 | 2.1% |
| 1,801–1,900cc | Diesel | 243 | 1.7% |
| 2,501–2,600cc | Petrol | 205 | 1.5% |
Share of those licensed at the end of each year, for the most common sizes.
| Year | 1,501–1,600cc | 1,901–2,000cc | 1,701–1,800cc | 2,401–2,500cc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 30.5% | 31.9% | 22.8% | 3.6% |
| 2015 | 31.1% | 32.5% | 22.2% | 3.9% |
| 2016 | 31.9% | 32.9% | 21.4% | 4.2% |
| 2017 | 33.1% | 33.2% | 20.6% | 4.5% |
| 2018 | 34.2% | 33.8% | 19.7% | 4.8% |
| 2019 | 35.9% | 33.7% | 19.0% | 5.0% |
| 2020 | 37.1% | 33.7% | 18.1% | 5.2% |
| 2021 | 38.4% | 33.4% | 17.5% | 5.5% |
| 2022 | 39.8% | 33.0% | 16.9% | 5.6% |
| 2023 | 41.1% | 32.4% | 16.4% | 5.8% |
| 2024 | 41.9% | 32.1% | 16.0% | 6.1% |
| 2025 | 42.6% | 31.5% | 15.6% | 6.3% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
Share of those licensed at the end of each year.
| Year | Petrol | Diesel |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 58.8% | 40.7% |
| 2015 | 57.3% | 42.3% |
| 2016 | 55.7% | 43.9% |
| 2017 | 54.3% | 45.3% |
| 2018 | 53.2% | 46.5% |
| 2019 | 52.4% | 47.4% |
| 2020 | 51.7% | 48.1% |
| 2021 | 51.3% | 48.5% |
| 2022 | 51.3% | 48.5% |
| 2023 | 51.6% | 48.2% |
| 2024 | 52.0% | 47.8% |
| 2025 | 52.4% | 47.4% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
United Kingdom figures from DfT table VEH0220 (licensed cars at the end of each year, SORN excluded), so they differ slightly from the Great Britain counts elsewhere on this page. How we use engine sizes.
The Vehicle Certification Agency’s new car data lists the Volvo S40 from 2004 to 2013. On the NEDC test (listings 2004 to 2013), official combined fuel economy for its petrol, diesel and other fuel versions ranges from 29.7 to 74.3 mpg, with CO2 of 99 to 227 g/km.
| Engine and fuel | Combined mpg | CO2 g/km | Listed | Euro standard | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 petrol | 39.2–39.8 | 169–171 | 2005–2010 | Euro 4 | 6 |
| 1.8 petrol | 38.2–39.2 | 172–177 | 2005–2010 | Euro 4 | 8 |
| 2.0 petrol | 37.2–38.2 | 176–177 | 2007–2013 | Euro 4 to Euro 5 | 8 |
| 2.4 petrol | 31.0–33.2 | 203–217 | 2004–2009 | Euro 4 | 11 |
| 2.5 petrol | 29.7–32.5 | 203–227 | 2004–2013 | Euro 4 to Euro 5 | 18 |
| 1.6 diesel | 57.6–74.3 | 99–129 | 2005–2013 | Euro 3 to Euro 5 | 16 |
| 2.0 diesel | 47.1–55.4 | 134–159 | 2004–2013 | Euro 3 to Euro 5 | 28 |
| 2.4 diesel | 40.4–45.6 | 164–184 | 2007–2010 | Euro 4 | 7 |
| 1.8 other fuel | 38.2 | 177 | 2009–2010 | Euro 4 | 2 |
Source:VCA July 2000 to 15 September 2026 Updated
DVSA lists 32 safety recalls for the Volvo S40 since 1992, the first in 1999. The most recent was launched on 23 December 2013.
All 32 Volvo S40 recalls, with defects, remedies and build dates
A recall applies to cars built on particular dates or with particular VINs, not to every Volvo S40. The details come from manufacturers through DVSA, which says they may be delayed or incomplete. To check a specific car, use GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check or ask the manufacturer or a dealer. How we match recalls to models.
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis January 1992 to September 2026 Updated
| Model | Licensed | Change on a year | SORN | Rank | Main fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volvo S40 | 12,752 | −16.6% | 5,184 | 311 | Petrol |
| Volvo XC40 | 174,993 | +19.6% | 1,060 | 46 | Hybrid |
| Volvo XC60 | 149,383 | +7.1% | 2,413 | 59 | Diesel |
| Volvo XC90 | 91,505 | +3.8% | 6,477 | 104 | Diesel |
| Volvo V40 | 91,276 | −2.0% | 4,457 | 105 | Diesel |
| Figures | Source | Period | Records | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed and SORN counts | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | End of March 2026 | 17,936 S40 records (licensed and SORN) | 15 September 2026 |
| Registered for the first time | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | 2001 to 2025 | – | 15 September 2026 |
| MOT results and mileage | Anonymised MOT tests and results Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency Derived statistics UK Motoring | 2025 | 15,238 MOT tests | 15 September 2026 |
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
