2016 Volvo V40 2.0L Petrol · DA16 AAZ

A pattern of tyre degradation and a cluster of supplementary safety system warnings define the mechanical picture of this 2016 Volvo V40. The most recent test on 10 June 2026 resulted in a pass, but the same date carries a failure entry tied to an ABS warning lamp defect and a Supplementary Restraint System (SRS) warning lamp fault, both classified as Major. Prior to the 2026 test, the vehicle returned three consecutive passes with no recorded defects in 2023, 2024, and 2025, indicating that the electronic safety system issues surfaced late in the recorded history rather than being a chronic trait. The tyre-related advisories, however, are a recurring theme: rear tyres were flagged for perishing in 2022 and again across all three fitted tyres in 2026, and the 2022 test recorded a Dangerous failure for an offside front tyre with exposed ply or cords. This points to a vehicle whose rubber components deteriorate relatively quickly for its mileage profile, with two significant tyre-related test entries within the recorded period. The recorded mileage of 74,127 miles across approximately ten years equates to an annual accumulation of roughly 7,400 miles, broadly consistent with typical private use for the age. There are no extended gaps in the MOT testing record and no evidence of the vehicle being laid up for multiple consecutive years, which removes concerns about long-term standing effects on items such as brake hydraulic seals, fuel system components, or underbody corrosion initiation. The mileage is sufficient to have produced meaningful wear on the suspension bushes, anti-roll bar links, brake discs and pads, and the dual-clutch or automatic transmission internals depending on variant, but low enough that major drivetrain failures would not be expected from mileage alone. The current odometer reading should be verified independently against the service record to confirm consistency. For a prospective buyer, the immediate priorities are confirming rectification of the ABS and SRS faults flagged in June 2026, as both warning lamps indicating a malfunction at the time of test require diagnostic verification rather than simple component replacement. ABS module failure, wheel speed sensor defects, and wiring harness corrosion at the wheel hubs are common culprits on this generation of Volvo V40, while SRS lamp illumination can stem from seatbelt pretensioner faults, passenger occupancy sensor mat failure, or airbag module communication errors; any of these would typically have been captured by a diagnostic readout at the time of repair. A pre-purchase scan with a Volvo-compatible diagnostic tool is strongly advised to confirm that both systems are now communicating correctly and that no fault codes remain stored. On the test drive, the buyer should listen for any pulsation through the brake pedal under firm application, which would indicate warped front discs given the mileage, and pay close attention to steering pull or vibration during braking that could point to a binding caliper or uneven pad wear. The tyre condition observed in the 2026 advisories warrants close physical inspection of all four fitted tyres, including the sidewalls for cracking and the tread for uneven shoulder wear, which on a V40 can indicate worn suspension bushes or weak springs allowing camber change under load. A bouncy secondary ride quality over undulating roads, or knocking noises from the front suspension over speed humps and rougher tarmac, would suggest degraded strut top mounts, anti-roll bar drop links, or wishbone bushes, none of which have yet appeared in the MOT record but are plausible at this mileage. The headlamp aim failure recorded in 2024 was a minor PRS (pass after rectification at the test station) item and is unlikely to be a persistent concern, though a check that both lamps are level and provide adequate illumination without dazzling oncoming traffic remains sensible. Finally, a thorough underbody inspection is worth requesting, as the V40 is known to develop surface corrosion on rear trailing arm mounting points and around the exhaust heat shield fixings, and although no such items have yet been flagged in the MOT record, they commonly emerge beyond the ten-year threshold.