2021 Volvo XC40 Inscription T4 Recharge A 1.5L Hybrid electric (clean) · AV71 KXK

The DVSA MOT history for this 2021 Volvo XC40 presents a clean and reassuring roadworthiness profile, with the most recent test on 23 September 2025 recording a pass and no advisories whatsoever. This follows an equally clean pass on 16 September 2024, also free of defects. Across two consecutive tests spanning the most recent two years of the vehicle's life, there is no evidence of emerging wear patterns, corrosion, or component deterioration flagged by the examiner. For a five-year-old vehicle, this consistent clean record suggests the mechanical fundamentals remain sound and the car has not yet developed the typical advisory items that begin to surface as Volvo chassis and brake components accumulate age and exposure. The absence of any advisories on braking components, tyres, suspension linkages, or exhaust system indicates these areas have either been diligently maintained or have simply seen limited wear given the mileage on the clock. With 22,578 miles recorded over approximately five years, this XC40 has covered an average of around 4,500 miles per year, which is markedly below typical UK usage. This low accumulation rate can be a mixed mechanical indicator. On the positive side, the brake discs, pads, tyres, clutch, and drivetrain components have experienced less mechanical wear than would be expected for the vehicle's age, meaning these consumables should retain significant remaining service life. However, low annual mileage can also point to extended periods of standing, which can affect items that degrade through inactivity rather than use. For this particular plug-in hybrid, prolonged standing can be particularly relevant to the 12V auxiliary battery, brake hydraulic seals, and tyre integrity, as vehicles left stationary for weeks or months at a time can develop flat spots, seized caliper slide pins, and premature battery failure. The MOT record itself does not flag any of these issues, but a buyer should be mindful that the low mileage does not automatically equate to a fully health-checked vehicle across all systems. From a suspension and steering perspective, given the absence of any advisories relating to coil springs, suspension arms, bushes, or steering components across both tests, there are no specific flagged items to follow up on. Nevertheless, on a test drive, it would be prudent to listen for any clonks, knocks, or rattling from the front suspension over speed bumps and uneven surfaces, as the MacPherson strut front end and multi-link rear arrangement fitted to the XC40 can begin to show wear in the anti-roll bar bushes and lower control arm bushes. Steering should feel precise and self-centring without vibration through the wheel, and the vehicle should track straight under acceleration and on motorway runs without pulling to either side. For the braking system, although no wear items were flagged, a prospective buyer should perform a thorough functional check on a test drive. The pedal should feel firm and progressive without excessive travel, sponginess, or judder under firm braking, which could indicate warped front discs. At low speed, listen for any grinding or scraping sounds from the front wheels that might suggest worn pad material or corroled disc surfaces, the latter being a known issue on vehicles that see limited use and may suffer from surface rusting of the discs due to infrequent cleaning through braking. Finally, given that this is a T4 Recharge plug-in hybrid, it is advisable to confirm the hybrid system charges and operates correctly across both petrol and electric modes, that the brake energy regeneration function is active, and that any warning lights on the instrument cluster are absent. These functional checks fall outside the MOT scope but are essential for verifying the complete mechanical health of this particular drivetrain configuration.