2010 Volvo S40 1.6L Diesel · HG10 NPV

The most recent MOT, dated 22 May 2026, was a pass but flagged a “parking brake efficiency low” defect. This follows a failed MOT just a week earlier (15 May 2026) that listed several serious issues: a deep cut on the off‑side front tyre, a missing near‑side front steering‑rack gaiter, and both a lack of reserve travel and insufficient efficiency on the parking brake. The earlier failures in 2024 also centred on front‑tyre damage. The pattern is clear – front‑tyre condition and the parking‑brake system have been recurring problem areas. While the vehicle managed to pass the latest test, the lingering brake‑efficiency comment suggests the issue has not been fully resolved. The tyre defects have been identified in three separate years, indicating either ongoing wear or a tendency to run on marginal tyres. Overall the trend is not improving; the recent pass is only marginal, and the same categories keep re‑appearing. At just 26,215 mi for a 2010 model (about 1,600 mi per year), the mileage is exceptionally low. This could mean the car has been lightly driven, which reduces wear on major mechanical parts, but it also raises the possibility of age‑related deterioration of rubber components, seals and bushings that are not mileage‑dependent. In short, low mileage does not guarantee good condition – the tyres and brake system still need close scrutiny.