SMMT

7th best-selling new car in the UK so far in 2026 - registration data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

Ranked #15 car in the UK · SUV · 30,427 units sold last year

Volvo XC40

The Volvo XC40 is a stylish, safety-led premium small SUV with a comfortable, well-built Scandinavian cabin. It's offered with petrol and mild-hybrid engines, a Recharge plug-in hybrid, and a fully electric version (renamed EX40 from 2024). Later cars use Volvo's Google built-in infotainment. Cross-shop the Audi Q3, BMW X1, Mercedes GLA and Range Rover Evoque.

Volvo XC40
Photo: Elise240SX via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Body
SUV
Years
2018–2026
Fuel
Mild Hybrid / Electric
Range
28 mi

WLTP

Insurance
Group 30

The short version

60/100

Forecourt score

Value 43 · Reliability 97 · Insurance 22

The Volvo XC40 holds its value about averagely and is dearer to run than most. Its MOT-based reliability is excellent, 90 out of 100, ahead of 97% of the cars we track. On three-year value retention it ranks better than 43% of models.

The Forecourt score blends how this car ranks against the catalogue on value retention, reliability and insurance cost (weighted 40/40/20). Higher is better; running cost is not yet folded in.

Pick your version

Fuel

Mild Hybrid · 1969cc

Power

163 ps

Drivetrain

FWD

Cam drive

Dry belt

Quoted MPG

39 mpg

The volume XC40. 2.0L 4-cyl turbo with 48V mHEV, 163 PS, 8-speed Aisin auto, FWD. Plus trim — leather, heated seats, 9-inch portrait screen with Google built-in. The default.

Tell us about the one you're looking at

2023
20182026
25,788 mi
0Expected: 25,788180k
good
PoorFairGoodExcellent

Tidy and well looked-after for its age — the typical car.

Remembered as you browse other cars.

Optional — fills in the exact year and ULEZ status for your specific car. The registration isn’t stored.

Estimated market value

How we got this number — click for the breakdown, or to challenge it.

£18,600

Range £15,700£21,800

medium confidence

When new (2023)£35,500Age-based value£22,365Mileage adjustment+£0Condition & region-£7Market calibration-£2,508Forecourt price£19,850Private sale£17,400Part-exchange£15,300
Buythis 3-year-old

Past the steep drop — most of the depreciation is behind it.

At 25,788 miles it’s about the ~26,843 typical for a 3-year-old.

Seen one for sale?

£

A data-led guide from the depreciation curve, UK parc trend and reliability — not financial advice.

The depreciation curve

How a 2023-registration Volvo XC40 loses value over time.

What it costs to own

Over

Based on the 2023 car with 25,788 miles you entered above — worth about £18,600 today — here is the cost of owning it for the next 5 years, at roughly 8,596 miles a year.

5-year total

£21,430

Per year

£4,286

All-in per mile

£0.50

Fuel per mile

16.6p

If a company carAround £424/mo Benefit-in-Kind tax at the 40% rate (£212/mo at 20%) — 33% band

Depreciation£3,955
Fuel / energy£7,130
Servicing£2,570
Road tax£975
Insurance£6,800

If you're a company-car driver

At 33% BIK, a 40% taxpayer would pay about £424/month in company-car tax (£212/month at 20%) — on top of the running costs above. Full BIK table below for context.

Best age to buy — around 4 years

A 4-year-old example loses roughly £2,000 a year — under half the £5,850 a one-year-old sheds. The steepest drop is behind it.

Uses current UK pump and home-charging prices (DESNZ weekly), typical-driver insurance and manufacturer service intervals. "Fuel per mile" is just the energy input — so an EV at ~9p and a diesel at ~22p make running-cost comparison direct. A guide; your own costs will vary.

How it compares

Where this car ranks against the 340 vehicles in our index — higher is better.

Holds its valuebetter than 43%
Reliabilitybetter than 97%
Fuel economybetter than 43%
Cheap to insurebetter than 22%

Percentile rank across our full index. A measure is shown only where the data spreads meaningfully across the index.

Petrol, diesel, hybrid or EV?

How the available versions compare on price, running cost, and the headaches each tends to develop.

B3 / B4 (FWD)

Best non-EV compact premium SUV in many ways. Better-styled than Audi Q3, more comfortable than BMW X1. Volvo's Scandinavian interior pleasant. Strong safety (5-star Euro NCAP). EX40 (EV equivalent) is the modern alternative.

New price
£39,500
Annual fuel / energy
£2,000
3-yr depreciation
49%

Watch for

  • ·Sensus/Google infotainment occasional freezes
  • ·12V battery drain if unused >2 weeks
  • ·Some run-flat-tyre-feel on potholes despite non-runflats

B5 AWD

Niche but capable. AWD adds 250 PS and 60 Nm vs B4 — feels notably stronger. The XC40 for owners who want all-weather security or have hilly terrain. Pricey vs Skoda Karoq 4x4.

New price
£47,000
Annual fuel / energy
£2,350
3-yr depreciation
49%

Watch for

  • ·Real-world 30-33 mpg from heavy AWD body
  • ·20-inch wheels punishing on UK roads (specify 19-inch)
  • ·BorgWarner AWD pump failure reported on some pre-2020 cars

Fuel/energy costs based on this week’s UK averages (w/c 22/06/2026) · Petrol 153.3p/L, Diesel 172.5p/L, Electricity 27.0p/kWh · DESNZ

Estimated insurance

Group 30 of 50 (upper-mid — pricier to insure) · Comprehensive · 3 years NCB

Indicative annual comprehensive premiums for this car, by driver age band and risk profile. Pick the combination closest to your circumstances.

3 years
0 yearsBaseline: 3 years15+
Risk profile:

Estimated annual premium · typical, age 33-39

£1,360/ year

Roughly £113 per month

Typical

Average UK driver — 3 years NCB, average postcode, no recent claims.
Age bandLower riskTypicalHigher risk
Age 17-25£3,101£3,876£5,039
Age 26-32£1,618£1,904£2,323
Age 33-39Selected£1,197£1,360£1,605
Age 40-49£1,016£1,129£1,309
Age 50+£906£1,006£1,188

How we estimate this

Indicative annual comprehensive premium estimates. The 'Typical' figure represents an average UK driver in each age band; Lower and Higher risk show the realistic spread driven by factors UK insurers legitimately price on (postcode, occupation, claims history, NCB, voluntary excess, modifications). Based on 10,000 miles/yr, £250 voluntary excess, and the no-claims bonus selected above. Always get individual quotes before buying.

Expected annual costs

Adjust the annual mileage to match how you'll actually use the car. Insurance is what you selected above (age 33-39, typical risk, 3 yrs NCB).

8,596 mi/yr
2,000UK avg for this model: 8,59630,000

Routine service

£290

Annual main-dealer service

Major service

£280

Every 2 years, annualised

Road tax

£195

Standard rate, post year-one

Electricity

£645

3.6 mi/kWh, 27p blended

Insurance

£1,360

Age 33-39, group 30

Clean-air zones

ULEZ compliant
  • Mild Hybrid variants are compliant with London ULEZ and all UK clean-air zones.

Based on London ULEZ standards — Birmingham, Bath, Bristol, Sheffield, Glasgow and other UK clean-air zones generally follow the same rules.

Total expected£2,770 / year

Excludes depreciation and unscheduled repairs (see next section).

Unexpected costs

What out-of-warranty repairs typically run, by mileage band. Your selected mileage is highlighted.

0-30k miles

£120

per year · low risk

30-60k miles

£360

per year · low risk

60-100k miles

£780

per year · medium risk

100k+ miles

£1,350

per year · high risk

Tyres

215/65 R17 · 235/55 R18 · 235/50 R19

What a full set of four will cost you (including fit and balance), and which brand each tier of buyer should pick. A typical set lasts about 24,000 miles.

Budget

£400

set of 4, fitted · £85 per tyre

Mid-range

£580

set of 4, fitted · £130 per tyre

Premium

£840

set of 4, fitted · £195 per tyre

What to fit

Optional extras worth paying for

Factory options ranked by how much of their original cost they recover at resale. Anything above 70% return tends to make money back; below 40% is paying for your own enjoyment.

OptionNew costAdded used valueReturn

Tow bar (factory-fit)

Niche, but the buyers who want one will pay for it.

£650£45069%

Parking sensors & reversing camera

Near-expected now — its absence costs more than its presence returns.

£500£30060%

Heated seats / cold-weather pack

£450£20044%

Adaptive / matrix LED headlights

£900£40044%

Metallic or premium paint

Almost universal — an unusual colour is the bigger resale risk.

£600£20033%

Panoramic / opening roof

£1,100£35032%

Advanced driver-assistance pack

£1,500£45030%

Larger alloy wheels

£700£20029%

Premium sound system

£800£20025%

Parts most likely to fail

Drawn from owner reports and warranty data. Filtered for relevance to 25,788 miles.

Watch now

Failure typically happens around your current mileage.

Upcoming

A known weak point — but you haven't reached its usual mileage yet.

Already due

Past its usual failure mileage. Either already fixed, or about to.

Tyres & wheelsUpcoming

Typical at 60k-100k milesCost £80-£500low severityParts high

Recorded in 4.8% of MOT tests 60k-100k miles — from 398,357 DVSA MOT tests analysed.

BrakesUpcoming

Typical at over 100k milesCost £150-£500medium severityParts high

Recorded in 4.8% of MOT tests over 100k miles — from 398,357 DVSA MOT tests analysed.

SuspensionUpcoming

Typical at over 100k milesCost £150-£450low severityParts high

Recorded in 1.3% of MOT tests over 100k miles — from 398,357 DVSA MOT tests analysed.

Driver's viewUpcoming

Typical at over 100k milesCost £60-£300low severityParts high

Recorded in 1.0% of MOT tests over 100k miles — from 398,357 DVSA MOT tests analysed.

Lighting & signallingUpcoming

Typical at 60k-100k milesCost £15-£120low severityParts high

Recorded in 0.5% of MOT tests 60k-100k miles — from 398,357 DVSA MOT tests analysed.

EmissionsUpcoming

Typical at over 100k milesCost £150-£800medium severityParts high

Recorded in 0.7% of MOT tests over 100k miles — from 398,357 DVSA MOT tests analysed.

"Parts low/medium/high" indicates how easy the replacement part is to source — discontinued or specialist parts mean longer workshop time and bigger bills.

Safety rating

Euro NCAP's independent crash-test rating for the Volvo XC40, from its 2018 assessment.

5/5
TEST YEAR2018
Rating expired (test protocol superseded)

The passenger compartment of the XC40 remained stable in the frontal offset test.

Independent crash-test data from Euro NCAP. Star ratings reflect the test protocol of the year shown — newer protocols are stricter, so a 5-star from 2024 represents a higher bar than a 5-star from 2014.

MOT outlook

How this model fares at its MOT as it ages — from 407,064 real DVSA test records.

MOT pass rate by age

A 3-year-old XC40 passes its MOT 91.6% of the time; by 8 years that has slipped to 88.4%. The y-axis is zoomed to this model’s range so the trend is readable.

Longevity

2%of 8-year-old examples are still taxed and on the road — a useful read on how well the model lasts.

From 7,035 vehicles registered in 2018.

Survival by registration year

25%50%75%100%20182026

Each point is one registration cohort. Older cars on the left, newer on the right. A flatter line means the model holds up over time; a steep drop means cohorts disappear from UK roads faster.

What’s on the road

The fuel-type split of every XC40 currently MOT’d in the UK. From 186,830 vehicles.

  • Hybrid 62.7%
  • Petrol 22.0%
  • Electric 8.7%
  • Diesel 6.4%

Common MOT failures by mileage

The defect categories this XC40 fails on most often, and how the failure rate climbs as the miles add up — from the same DVSA test records.

Category0-30k30-60k60-100k100k+
Tyres & wheels3%4%5%5%
Brakes1%4%5%5%
Suspension1%1%
Driver's view1%1%1%
Lighting & signalling1%
Emissions1%

Share of MOT tests in each mileage band with at least one defect in that category. The peak band for each is highlighted.

Typical mileage by age

The average odometer reading for a XC40 at MOT, by age — measured from the same DVSA records, not assumed. A useful yardstick for whether a given car has done more or fewer miles than its age suggests.

  • 0 yr1,212
  • 1 yr12,634
  • 2 yr25,424
  • 3 yr26,843
  • 4 yr34,286
  • 5 yr41,315
  • 6 yr48,495
  • 7 yr55,650
  • 8 yr62,063

Mean recorded mileage at MOT by vehicle age, from DVSA test records (ages with at least 10 tests shown).

Reliability

90/ 100

Excellent

Composite of MOT pass rate, defect prevalence and cohort survival from 398,357 tests — high confidence.

MOT outlook · age 5 years

91%first-time pass rate

92th percentileAmong the best in the catalogue

Based on 64,552 MOT tests · ranked against 248 catalogue models with comparable data

Where this car sits in the catalogue

0%50%90%

Pass-rate distribution across 248 catalogue models

Things owners say

  • 01The electric version was renamed EX40 in 2024 - the same car; verify battery health on used EVs.
  • 02Three-cylinder petrol and PHEV variants exist - the PHEV only pays off with regular charging.
  • 03Well-built and safe with strong residuals; standard premium checks apply.

Safety recalls

Manufacturers occasionally issue safety recalls to fix a fault free of charge. You can check whether the Volvo XC40, or your exact vehicle, has any outstanding recalls on the official DVSA service.

Check on GOV.UK

Opens the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency recall checker. Choose the make, model and year of manufacture — no registration needed.

Theft risk

A general indicator from UK 2025 theft data and this car’s characteristics — not a prediction for any one vehicle.

Whole-car theft

Higher

Desirable SUVs like this are relay-theft targets — keyless entry can be exploited from the driveway in under a minute.

Parts theft

Higher

Hybrid versions are a catalytic-converter target — a hybrid cat is rich in precious metals and can be cut out in about a minute.

Worth doing

  • Keep keys in a Faraday pouch and away from the front door to block relay attacks.
  • A catalytic-converter guard or forensic marking makes a hybrid far less appealing to cut.
  • A visible steering lock is a cheap, strong deterrent on a frequently-targeted car.

Clean-air zones

Whether driving a Volvo XC40 into a UK clean-air zone will cost you anything. Rules use the same Euro standard across most zones — petrol from 2006 and diesel from 2015 onwards are exempt; pure electric is always exempt.

Charging zones for cars

CityAreaDaily chargeLikely outcome
LondonAll of Greater London (within the M25)£12.50
Likely exempt
Hybrid petrol engines from 2006 meet Euro 4.
BirminghamInside the A4540 Middleway£8.00
Likely exempt
Hybrid petrol engines from 2006 meet Euro 4.
BristolCity centre and part of the Portway£9.00
Likely exempt
Hybrid petrol engines from 2006 meet Euro 4.
GlasgowCity centre
Likely exempt
Hybrid petrol engines from 2006 meet Euro 4.
EdinburghCity centre
Likely exempt
Hybrid petrol engines from 2006 meet Euro 4.
AberdeenCity centre
Likely exempt
Hybrid petrol engines from 2006 meet Euro 4.
DundeeCity centre
Likely exempt
Hybrid petrol engines from 2006 meet Euro 4.

Zones that don't charge private cars

  • BathCity centre (Private cars and motorbikes are not charged).
  • BradfordOuter ring road and the Aire Valley (Private cars are not charged).
  • SheffieldInside the A61 inner ring road (Private cars are not charged).
  • Newcastle & GatesheadCity centres and the Tyne, Swing, High Level and Redheugh bridges (Private cars are not charged).
  • PortsmouthPart of the city centre (Applies to taxis, PHVs, buses, coaches and HGVs only).

Model-level guidance only. To check a specific registration, use the official gov.uk clean-air zone checker. Zone charges and boundaries are set by local councils and change over time.

UK charging network

119,080 public chargers across the UK

As of 2026-04-01, the UK has 119,080 publicly available EV chargers, up 12.6% on the prior year (13,281 added in 2025). 23% of those are rapid (50 kW+) or ultra-rapid (150 kW+), so the network can support both home and on-route charging.

3-8 kW

50%

Standard

8-50 kW

27%

Standard plus

50-150 kW

12%

Rapid

150 kW+

11%

Ultra-rapid

Source: Department for Transport / Zapmap · Released 2026-05-21 · DfT statistics

Company car tax

What HMRC's Benefit-in-Kind charge looks like if you ran this Volvo XC40 as a company car, by tax year and income-tax band. Calculated from a CO₂ of 143 g/km and a WLTP electric range of 28 miles, using £38,500 as the P11D value.

Tax yearBIK %Tax @ 20%Tax @ 40%Monthly @ 20%Monthly @ 40%
2025-2633%£2,541£5,082£212£424
2026-2734%£2,618£5,236£218£436
2027-2835%£2,695£5,390£225£449
2028-2935%£2,695£5,390£225£449
2029-3035%£2,695£5,390£225£449

P11D value is approximated from the latest new price; the exact figure on your tax code will depend on options fitted. The 4% diesel surcharge applies only to non-RDE2 (pre-2021) diesels — we assume RDE2 compliance for current models. Bands and rates from HMRC's Autumn Budget 2024 confirmation through 2029/30.

Servicing & the dealer network

How well-supported Volvo is across the UK — a practical read on how easy servicing, parts and warranty work will be to find.

Franchised UK dealers

~95

Solid network

Premium mainstream

Network size relative to the UK's largest (Volvo is 2.1% of all franchised outlets)

A solid network — a franchised dealer is usually within reasonable reach, and independent garages are generally familiar with the brand.

For context, the UK has roughly 4,500 franchised car-dealer outlets in total, plus about 15,500 independent garages.

Approximate figures, curated from public UK industry sources (NFDA, Car Dealer Magazine). Franchised networks shrink year on year — these indicate network size, not an exact count.

Dimensions & weight

Length

4,600 mm

Width

1,880 mm

Height

1,650 mm

Kerb weight

1,750 kg

Boot

500–1,600 L

Fuel tank

60 L

How many are still out there

Of every Volvo XC40 ever registered in the UK, this is what's actively on the road, parked off the road on a SORN, or gone for good.

Total ever registered

170,791

Currently taxed & on road

168,963

99% of all registered

SORN (off road)

1,828

1% of all registered

Scrapped or exported

0

UK fleet trend — 2017 to 2025

+21% vs 2024
8168,963

Source: DfT VEH0124 vehicle licensing statistics (year-end 2025) · Updated 1 Jul 2026

Common questions

Volvo XC40, answered

Is the Volvo XC40 ULEZ compliant?
Most petrol Volvo XC40s from 2006 and diesels from September 2015 meet the Euro standards for London ULEZ and other UK clean-air zones, so they are generally exempt from the daily charge. Pure-electric versions are always exempt.
What insurance group is the Volvo XC40 in?
The Volvo XC40 sits in insurance group 30 of 50. Your actual premium still depends on age, postcode, annual mileage and no-claims history.
Is the Volvo XC40 reliable?
Our reliability score for the Volvo XC40 is 90 out of 100 (excellent), derived from DVSA MOT records, with a first-time MOT pass rate of about 91% at the reference age.
What economy does the Volvo XC40 get?
Expect roughly around 3.6 miles per kWh for a typical Volvo XC40, based on official figures and our running-cost model. Real-world figures vary with driving style, load and conditions.
What are the common problems on the Volvo XC40?
On the Volvo XC40, the issues that come up most by mileage include Tyres & wheels, Brakes and Suspension. The section above breaks down each one with its typical mileage, repair cost and severity.
How many Volvo XC40s are on UK roads?
About 168,963 Volvo XC40s are currently taxed and on the road in the UK, from DfT vehicle-licensing data.

Same underpinnings

Built on the Volvo CMA platform

Smaller sister to SPA, co-developed by Volvo and Geely for compact premium cars and SUVs. Different badges, often substantially different residuals, but broadly the same mechanicals and repair cost profile.

Compact Modular Architecture · Volvo Cars / Geely

Common questions

Volvo XC40, answered from the data

Is the Volvo XC40 reliable?
The Volvo XC40 scores 90/100 on Forecourt's MOT-based reliability measure, ahead of 92% of the cars we track. That is computed from 407,064 real DVSA MOT test results.
How much does a used Volvo XC40 cost?
A 2023 Volvo XC40 with around 25,788 miles is worth roughly £18,600 today (typical range £16,800–£20,400). Dealer forecourt prices sit higher and part-exchange offers lower; newer or lower-mileage examples cost more.
How quickly does the Volvo XC40 depreciate?
A new Volvo XC40 typically loses about 37% of its value over the first three years, then depreciates more slowly. Buying at three to five years old avoids the steepest part of the curve.
What insurance group is the Volvo XC40?
The Volvo XC40 sits in insurance group 30 of 50 — the middle of the scale. Exact premiums depend on the trim (some versions sit a few groups higher or lower), your age, postcode and no-claims history.
What goes wrong on a used Volvo XC40?
The most common age-related issues we track for the Volvo XC40 are: tyres & wheels (typically around 60k-100k miles, £80-£500 to put right); brakes (typically around over 100k miles, £150-£500 to put right); suspension (typically around over 100k miles, £150-£450 to put right). A full service history and a recent MOT with no advisories are the best protection.
What does the Volvo XC40 cost to run?
Expect around 42 mpg combined, £195 a year in road tax, about £290 for a standard annual service. The full cost-of-ownership table above breaks this down per year and per mile for the exact year and mileage you choose.

Answers are generated from this car's Forecourt data — DVSA MOT records, DfT licensing statistics and our valuation model — and update with the weekly data refresh.

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