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What to check: Volvo XC40

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Ranked across all years of the Volvo XC40, from its own MOT record and from what owners report. Tick it off at the car.

From this model's MOT record

The physical checks its own defect data says are worth your time, most telling first.

Bushes and ball jointsDrive slowly over broken tarmac with the windows down and listen for clonks from either end. Back at the car, have someone rock the steering wheel while you rest a hand on each front wheel; play you can feel through the tyre is a worn joint.Recorded on 0.8% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 5.9%

Warning lights on ignitionTurn the ignition on without starting the engine and watch the dash. Every warning light should appear, then go out once it is running. Be more suspicious of a light that never comes on at all than of one that stays on; warning bulbs have been known to vanish before a sale.Recorded on 0.7% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 0.5%

LeaksLook at the ground where the car usually stands, then glance under the engine after your test drive. Fresh drips of oil or coolant are the cheapest warning you will ever get about a car.Recorded on 0.6% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 2.0%

Rubber boots and gaitersOn full steering lock, look in behind each front wheel at the concertina rubber boots on the driveshafts and steering rack. Splits, or grease flung around the arch, mean dirt is getting into a joint that costs far more than the boot protecting it.Recorded on 0.5% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 0.6%

Worth doing on any used car

These judge the seller's upkeep rather than the model.

Tyres, all fourCheck the tread across the full width of each tyre, inner edge included, and look for cracking and mismatched brands. A set of decent tyres is £500 or more on most cars, which makes this the easiest money to take off a price. If the pressure warning light is on, budget for sensors too.Recorded on 22.1% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 20.1%

Pads and discsRuns high on this modelLook through the wheel spokes at the brake disc. A pronounced lip on its outer edge, or a rusty and scored face, means discs and pads are due all round, a few hundred pounds on most cars. A haggling point rather than a reason to walk away.Recorded on 19.4% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 8.7%

Windscreen and wipersScan the glass in daylight for chips, especially in the driver's line of sight where even a small one can fail the MOT. Run the washers and check the wipers clear without smearing.Recorded on 1.7% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 2.0%

Because of what owners report

Drawn from the owner reports rather than the MOT data. These are the model-specific ones.

Reverse the car and watch the rear-view camera screen.A blank or delayed image is the camera fault Volvo has recalled twice; check it's had the fix.

Look for ABS, ESC or traction control warning lights on start-up.A false warning usually means the brake control module software update hasn't been done.

Press the brake pedal cold, before you start the engine.Unusual stiffness or resistance was the symptom behind the early cars' brake pedal recall.

Ask the seller to show the 2018/19 brake pedal recall has been carried out, if the car is that old.If it hasn't, get it done before relying on the car in an emergency stop.

Drive it over a rough, pockmarked road at low speed, especially if it's on big wheels.Persistent crashing or knocking beyond normal firmness is worth a closer look, even though it won't fail an MOT yet.

On a Recharge PHEV or EV, check for any reduced-power warning and confirm the 2021 high-voltage recall is done.An unactioned recall can mean the car cuts drive power unexpectedly.

Check the service book for a stamped timing belt change on petrol and diesel cars.No proof of a belt change is a real risk on this engine, not just paperwork tidiness.

Full Volvo XC40 reliability report