1997 Volvo S40 1.7L Petrol · R648 NCU
1997 Volvo S40 (1.7L, petrol). First registered 01 Dec 1997. Recorded mileage 106,768 miles. MOT expired on 14 Dec 2008. Currently declared SORN.
- Make & Model
- VOLVO S40
- Year / Origin
- 1997 · Reading
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 14 Dec 2008
- Road Tax
- SORN
- Recorded Mileage
- 106,768 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- PETROL · 1.7L
- 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.
R648 NCU Key Findings
- 3 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 15/12/2007
- 106,768 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- 2 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring brakes items (4 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
R648 NCU MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
3 MOT tests are recorded for this 1997 Volvo S40 (R648 NCU) between October 2006 and December 2007.
The record contains 2 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 15 December 2007 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: Brakes (4 issues), Tyres (3 issues), Lighting (3 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 6 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: “Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)”; “Front Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)”; “Front Ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)”.
R648 NCU Mileage History
- 23/10/2006100,515 mi
- 11/12/2006101,416 mi+901 mi
- 15/12/2007106,768 mi+5,352 mi
Average of roughly 5,465 miles per year across 3 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 1997 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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