Know Your MOT
26.9%fail rate

Volvo Es common MOT failures and failure rate

What a Volvo Es fails its MOT on, from real DVSA test data, and the part that resolves each item.

Based on 67 MOT tests in DVSA data.

About 26.9% of MOT tests recorded on the Volvo Es in DVSA data end in a failure. The same handful of items account for most of them.

Its most common failure is lamps & electrical, which makes up 55.6% of the Volvo Es's failures, followed by lamps & electrical, brakes, steering, visibility/wipers. Each item below links to the part that resolves it. Confirm the exact fitment against your registration or VIN before buying, and have safety-critical work done by a competent mechanic.

What it fails on, and why

Lamps & electrical55.6% of failures

Lighting is the single most common MOT failure and the cheapest to put right. A blown headlight, brake-light or number-plate bulb, a cracked lens, or a headlamp beam that points too high or low will all fail. Most are a two-minute bulb swap.

Brakes38.9% of failures

Brake failures cover worn pads and discs, an imbalance between wheels, corroded or scored discs, or a binding caliper. Braking efficiency is measured on a rolling road, so a spongy or pulling brake shows up as a low reading.

Steering38.9% of failures

Steering faults are typically worn track-rod ends or ball joints, play in the rack, or a split gaiter letting grease out and dirt in. Excessive free play at the wheel fails.

Visibility/wipers33.3% of failures

Visibility failures include torn or smearing wiper blades, a washer jet that does not reach the screen, and chips or cracks in the driver's swept area. Blades and washer fluid are quick, cheap fixes.

Fuel system22.2% of failures

Fuel-system failures are leaks or an insecure filler cap.

Exhaust & emissions16.7% of failures

Exhaust failures cover leaks, insecure mountings and emissions over the limit. A blowing exhaust, a failed lambda reading or a diesel that smokes beyond the limit will fail.

The parts that fix each

If your car has just failed, you have 10 working days to fix the items and get a free partial retest. These are the usual parts; confirm the exact fitment against your registration or VIN before buying.

For the lamps & electrical failure: Volvo Es headlight and indicator bulbsSearch Amazon for Volvo Es headlight and indicator bulbsaffiliate searchFind Volvo Es headlight and indicator bulbs on eBayaffiliate
For the brakes failure: Volvo Es brake pads and discsSearch Amazon for Volvo Es brake pads and discsaffiliate searchFind Volvo Es brake pads and discs on eBayaffiliate
For the steering failure: Volvo Es steering track rod endsSearch Amazon for Volvo Es steering track rod endsaffiliate searchFind Volvo Es steering track rod ends on eBayaffiliate
For the visibility/wipers failure: Volvo Es wiper bladesSearch Amazon for Volvo Es wiper bladesaffiliate searchFind Volvo Es wiper blades on eBayaffiliate
For the exhaust & emissions failure: Volvo Es exhaustSearch Amazon for Volvo Es exhaustaffiliate searchFind Volvo Es exhaust on eBayaffiliate

Other models

Volvo V70 MOT failures29.0% failure rateVolvo V40 MOT failures26.2% failure rateVolvo S40 MOT failures30.1% failure rateFord Fiesta MOT failures27.1% failure rate

Sources: DVSA MOT History API: MOT test results and defect data ยท DVSA MOT testing data for Great Britain