Known APK problem

Volvo V40 II: leaks

On the Volvo V40 II the APK inspector finds leaks problems 2.0× as often as on cars of the same age: at 11–12 years 5.2%, against about 2.6% nationally.

Illustration Volvo V40 II

Window: Oct 2025 – Sep 2026 · Updated: 16 Oct 2026

What is it?

Leaks of oil, coolant or other fluids.

Repair indication: mediuma targeted repair at the garage.

How to check it at the viewing

Look under the engine and where the car was parked. Open the bonnet and look for wet, greasy spots.

Ask the seller: Does the car lose oil or coolant?

By age

Share of inspected Volvo V40 IIs with this defect, compared with all cars of the same age.

AgeTypeV40 II95%-CINationalDifferencen
7 – 8 yearsC0.4%0.3 – 0.6%0.5%0.8×7,197
9 – 10 yearsC3.6%3.2 – 4.0%1.5%2.4×9,389
11 – 12 yearsC5.2%4.8 – 5.7%2.6%2.0×8,306
13 – 15 yearsC4.6%3.9 – 5.5%5.7%0.8×2,445

A = structure, safety or costly mechanics; B = fail, usually simple; C = advisory. An age is missing when this defect is not among the most common there.

Comparable cars at 11–12 years

ModelLeaksVs. national
Volvo V40 II5.2%2.0×
Volkswagen Passat B74.5%1.7×
Volkswagen Passat B84.0%1.5×
Škoda Superb II2.5%0.9×
Volvo V70 III / XC70 II3.9%1.5×
Volvo V60 I / S60 II3.8%1.4×

Looking at a Volvo V40 II? Check that car

Enter the plate and see the APK history, open recalls and how this car compares with other Volvo V40 IIs of the same age.

All weak spots of the Volvo V40 II · Leaks: which models more often · Checklist for this model

Frequently asked questions

Does the Volvo V40 II often have leaks problems?

Yes, more often than average at the APK. At 11–12 years the inspector found a leaks defect on 5.2% of inspected Volvo V40 IIs, against about 2.6% of all cars of the same age (2.0×). Source: RDW Open Data, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026.

How do you check the leaks on a used Volvo V40 II?

Look under the engine and where the car was parked. Open the bonnet and look for wet, greasy spots.

Repair indication: small, medium or large. An indication of the usual repair, not a quote: the real cost depends on the car, the cause and the garage.

Source: RDW Open Data (CC0), analysis CarXray.nl. 6,857,004 inspected passenger cars aged 3 years and older, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026. Each car counts once. How we know