2003 Volvo S40 1.6L Petrol · AP53 HXL
2003 Volvo S40 (1.6L, petrol). First registered 06 Dec 2003. Recorded mileage 121,148 miles. MOT expired on 23 Apr 2026.
- Make & Model
- VOLVO S40
- Year / Origin
- 2003 · Norwich
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 23 Apr 2026
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 121,148 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 1.6L
- 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.
AP53 HXL Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 10/04/2025
- 121,148 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- 10 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring suspension items (9 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
AP53 HXL MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
5 MOT tests are recorded for this 2003 Volvo S40 (AP53 HXL) between March 2022 and April 2025.
The record contains 4 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 10 April 2025 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 1 failure that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Suspension (9 issues), Brakes (7 issues), Lighting (7 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (4 issues), Tyres (4 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 31 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 Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))”; “Nearside Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))”; “Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))”.
AP53 HXL Mileage History
- 25/03/2022110,196 mi
- 05/04/2022110,295 mi+99 mi
- 25/04/2023113,170 mi+2,875 mi
- 15/04/2024116,782 mi+3,612 mi
- 10/04/2025121,148 mi+4,366 mi
Average of roughly 3,597 miles per year across 5 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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