2003 Volvo S40 1.8L Petrol · FY53 FGD
2003 Volvo S40 (1.8L, petrol). First registered 24 Oct 2003. Recorded mileage 242,490 miles. MOT expired on 19 Jul 2026.
- Make & Model
- VOLVO S40
- Year / Origin
- 2003 · Lincoln
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 19 Jul 2026
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 242,490 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.
FY53 FGD Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 21/07/2025
- 242,490 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
- Recurring suspension items (3 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
FY53 FGD 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 (FY53 FGD) between September 2022 and July 2025.
The record contains 4 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 21 July 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 (3 issues), Tyres (1 issue), Exhaust & Emissions (1 issue), Brakes (1 issue), Lighting (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 3 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 Front Lower Suspension component ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))”; “Offside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))”.
FY53 FGD Mileage History
- 12/09/2022195,665 mi
- 08/09/2023221,285 mi+25,620 mi
- 31/05/2024235,782 mi+14,497 mi
- 14/06/2024235,798 mi+16 mi
- 21/07/2025242,490 mi+6,692 mi
Average of roughly 16,397 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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