2006 Volvo S40 1.6L Petrol · LS06 YZM

The most recent MOT on 9 October 2025 recorded a failure at 171,096 mi. The failure was triggered by excessive play in the off‑side front wheel bearing, together with the already‑noted worn front lower suspension arm pins/bushes, severely deteriorated CV boot on the nearside front inner drive‑shaft, an oil leak and some corrosion on under‑body suspension and brake parts. Across the last four years the same front‑lower‑suspension arm wear has been flagged each year, and the CV boot condition has progressed from “near‑side outer joint” in 2024 to “inner joint” in 2025, showing a clear deterioration of the driveline seals. Brake pads were flagged as thin in 2022 but have not re‑appeared, suggesting they were likely replaced or have since worn to an acceptable thickness. The appearance of a wheel‑bearing defect in the latest test indicates a new, more serious issue that was not present in earlier MOTs. Overall the trend is worsening rather than stable. The recurring suspension‑arm wear and CV‑boot decay point to ageing bushings and seals that are now affecting the wheel bearing. The added oil leak and corrosion, while described as slight, suggest that the vehicle’s under‑body protection may be compromised, potentially accelerating wear on suspension and steering components. The mileage of 171,096 mi for a 20‑year‑old car works out to about 8,500 mi per year – roughly average for its age. It does not indicate extreme hard‑use, but it also means the car has accumulated a fair amount of wear on consumables such as bushings, boots, bearings and brakes.