2003 Volvo S40 1.8L Petrol · VE53 WGZ
2003 Volvo S40 (1.8L, petrol). First registered 01 Nov 2003. Recorded mileage 173,685 miles. MOT expired on 27 Jan 2021.
- Make & Model
- VOLVO S40
- Year / Origin
- 2003 · Worcester
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 27 Jan 2021
- Road Tax
- Untaxed (08 Mar 2021)
- Recorded Mileage
- 173,685 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- PETROL · 1.8L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Thinking of buying this vehicle? Free MOT and tax checks do not cover legal ownership. If outstanding finance exists, finance companies have legal right to repossess without compensation.
VE53 WGZ Key Findings
- 22 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT failed on 06/02/2021
- 173,685 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 8 historical MOT failures
- 9 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring tyres items (20 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
VE53 WGZ MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
22 MOT tests are recorded for this 2003 Volvo S40 (VE53 WGZ) between November 2006 and February 2021.
The record contains 14 passes and 8 failures.
The most recent test on 06 February 2021 was a fail; the vehicle has not passed its last recorded MOT.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Tyres (20 issues), Brakes (16 issues), Lighting (12 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (10 issues), Suspension (6 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 40 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.
Recorded failure items include: “Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))”; “Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))”; “Exhaust hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))”.
VE53 WGZ Mileage History
- 16/11/200652,399 mi
- 18/12/200758,265 mi+5,866 mi
- 18/12/200758,265 mi
- 04/02/200972,622 mi+14,357 mi
- 28/01/201080,491 mi+7,869 mi
- 05/11/201085,043 mi+4,552 mi
- 06/10/201192,452 mi+7,409 mi
- 08/11/2012102,385 mi+9,933 mi
- 08/11/2012102,385 mi
- 13/01/2014114,552 mi+12,167 mi
- 15/01/2015123,603 mi+9,051 mi
- 14/01/2016132,155 mi+8,552 mi
- 15/01/2016132,158 mi+3 mi
- 19/01/2017141,793 mi+9,635 mi
- 19/01/2017141,795 mi+2 mi
- 25/01/2018151,189 mi+9,394 mi
- 26/01/2018151,190 mi+1 mi
- 24/01/2019160,458 mi+9,268 mi
- 25/01/2019160,461 mi+3 mi
- 28/01/2020169,565 mi+9,104 mi
- 28/01/2020169,565 mi
- 06/02/2021173,685 mi+4,120 mi
Average of roughly 8,526 miles per year across 22 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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Known faults for Volvo S40 (Gen 1)
Our database tracks 3 specific mechanical faults and recurring failure patterns identified across UK MOT testing stations for this generation.
MOT Roadworthiness: Below Average
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
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VOLVO S40 Model Intelligence & Reliability
Verified MOT failure trends, buying advice, and technical directory specifications.
Owner-reported defects, recurring MOT failure points, and estimated repair costs.
Browse production generations, registration statistics, and trim variants.
Historical MOT pass rates and DVLA records for 2003 model year cars.
- Front suspension bush and top mount wearModerate
Wishbone bushes, drop links and top mounts wear steadily on UK roads, leaving the S40 noisy at the front and less settled at motorway speeds.
- ABS module and speed signal faultsModerate
ABS control units and related wiring can fail intermittently, bringing warning lights, lost speed signal and awkward-to-diagnose electrical gremlins.
- Rear arch and sill corrosionSerious
Rust around the rear arches, sill ends and lower body mounts is a major reason otherwise usable S40s fail MOTs or become uneconomical to save.
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