Volvo V40 buying guide (Ireland, 2026)
What a used Volvo V40 costs in Ireland, how it does at the NCT, what goes wrong and what it costs to fix. Based on 161 for sale right now.
Our take on the Volvo V40
A 2019 Volvo V40 typically advertises at €16,950 and a 2014 one at €9,000, so it loses roughly 12% of its value a year at that age. Most for sale are diesels (78%), which suit longer, regular drives; for mostly short trips a petrol is the safer buy. At the NCT, the 2013, 2014 and 2017 cars do better than other cars the same year. The 2.0 diesel is the most common engine (68% of those with a known engine), and it usually lasts around 350k km.
Check a Volvo V40's priceNCT pass rate by year
Used Volvo V40 prices by year
Typical asking price by registration year, and typical mileage. Private sellers usually take 5–10% less than asking; expect dealers to be a little dearer.
| Year | Typical price | Typical mileage | For sale |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | €16,950 | 67k km | 9 |
| 2018 | €14,950 | 96k km | 23 |
| 2017 | €13,000 | 144k km | 29 |
| 2016 | €10,500 | 154k km | 42 |
| 2015 | €10,500 | 97k km | 32 |
| 2014 | €9,000 | 142k km | 16 |
| 2013 | €6,000 | 348k km | 7 |
Volvo V40 NCT pass rate
How often Volvo V40s pass their NCT first time, compared with other cars the same year (Road Safety Authority (RSA), NCT make & model data 2025, initial tests).
| Year | Pass first time | Other cars, same year | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 71% | 74% | |
| 2018 | 69% | 67% | |
| 2017 | 68% | 64% | |
| 2016 | 48% | 55% | |
| 2015 | 55% | 53% | |
| 2014 | 56% | 51% | |
| 2013 | 55% | 46% |
Most common reasons a 2016 Volvo V40 fails: headlight aim (16% of tests, more than most cars), wheels & tyres (15.4% of tests, more than most cars), lights & electrics (11.1% of tests), steering & suspension (9.3% of tests).
Cheap fixes before the NCT (eBay.ie): Tyre tread depth gaugeBulbs for the Volvo V40
Common Volvo V40 problems
Known weak spots to check before you buy, with typical Irish garage costs if the problem is there.
Automatic gearbox health · €300–€2,500
Make sure the gear changes are smooth when warm, check for a gearbox warning light and ask if the gearbox oil was ever changed.
Timing belt history · €350–€700
Ask when the timing belt and water pump were last done (usually every 160,000 km or 5–6 years). No proof = budget for it.
Engines and how long they last
| Engine | Usually lasts | Motor tax / year | For sale |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 Diesel | ~350k km | ~€270 | 78 |
| 1.6 Petrol | ~300k km | ~€400 | 18 |
| 1.6 Diesel | ~350k km | ~€200 | 14 |
| 1.5 Petrol | ~300k km | ~€400 | 5 |
"Usually lasts" is the mileage these engines commonly reach before major work; service history matters more than the number.
Parts and upgrades for the Volvo V40
Parts for the Volvo V40 on eBay.ie
New and used parts from Irish and UK sellers. Check the part number or fit before you buy.
Brake padsCheck front or rear, and the disc size if there are twoSee on eBay.ie →
Brake discsReplace in pairs, with new padsSee on eBay.ie →
Oil filterChange it at every oil serviceSee on eBay.ie →
Wiper bladesSplit or smearing blades can fail the NCTSee on eBay.ie →
BulbsA blown bulb is an easy NCT failSee on eBay.ie →
BatteryCheck the size and terminal layoutSee on eBay.ie →
OBD2 fault code readerReads engine fault codes on your phoneSee on eBay.ie →Example photos, not the exact product (Wikimedia Commons): Treemonster86, CC BY-SA 3.0; Tharish, CC BY-SA 3.0; Dvortygirl, CC BY-SA 3.0; Wesha, Public domain; Mib18, CC BY-SA 3.0; Cjp24, CC BY-SA 4.0; Arp, Public domain.
Upgrades for the Volvo V40
Popular add-ons. The mats are made for this model; the rest fit most cars. More car accessories →
Floor matsMade to fit the Volvo V40See on eBay.ie →
CarPlay screenAdds Apple CarPlay (and usually Android Auto) to a car without it: sits on the dashSee on eBay.ie →
Wireless CarPlay adapterFor cars that already have CarPlay with a cableSee on eBay.ie →
Reversing cameraMakes parking easier; some CarPlay screens come with oneSee on eBay.ie →
Phone holderKeeps your phone off your lap for directionsSee on eBay.ie →
Dash camFootage settles insurance arguments quicklySee on eBay.ie →Example photos, not the exact product (Wikimedia Commons): Keystones, CC BY-SA 3.0; Butterhimmel, CC BY-SA 4.0; Sunnyboy122, CC0; https://www.flickr.com/photos/banoootah_qtr/, CC BY 2.0; Shixart1985, CC BY 2.0; Ellin Beltz, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Before you buy a used Volvo V40
Run a history check on the reg (write-off, finance owing, mileage), ask when the timing belt was done and for receipts, and start it from cold yourself. The used car checklist takes you through a viewing step by step.