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Volvo 240 reliability by build year

Coverage 1974-19931 named generationSaloonPETROL
At a glance

Volvo 240 built before 2000: about average at the MOT

Volvo 240 models built before 2000 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Check a Volvo 240 by number plate

Key figure

27% of MOT tests on Volvo 240 models built before 2000 ended in a fail (retests included), against 24% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Volvo 240 models built before 2000 involves the suspension.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Volvo 240's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Leaks

Worth checking

Inspect the leaks carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Exhaust

Worth checking

Listen for blow noises from a cold start; check for rust and leaks at the manifold and cat connections.

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your 240's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

240 Classic (P242/P244/P245)

Classic (P242/P244/P245) (1974-1993)

Not enough tests to rate
PETROL

27.2% fail rate, built before 2000 (over 25 years old)

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 25.2%)

From 1,523 MOT tests at this ageView details →

By age

Volvo 240 fail rate by age

This chart combines every Volvo 240 ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
1,52327.2%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 25+ years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 25+ year old Volvo 240 models

These issues come from 25+ year old Volvo 240 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    19.2%
    Advisory: 332Fail: 5 (1% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    15.2%
    Advisory: 327Fail: 72 (18% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Exhaust has a minor leak

    13.8%
    Advisory: 192Fail: 41 (18% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Suspension mounting area corroded, but not seriously

    8.9%
    Advisory: 138Fail: 87 (39% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Suspension part corroded, but not seriously weakened

    8.2%
    Advisory: 238Fail: 12 (5% of the times it was found)

Based on 1,523 MOT tests on 25+ year old Volvo 240 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 25+ year old Volvo 240 models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelEnough data
  1. Brakes + Suspension32%
  2. Other + Suspension24%
  3. Lighting + Suspension24%
  4. Body & structure + Suspension21%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 843 MOT tests on Volvo 240 cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Volvo 240.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

DVSA's recall list has no recalls filed under the Volvo 240 name. For the exact car, check with the maker or GOV.UK's recall checker.

Like-for-like

Other saloons to compare

Other saloons to compare

  1. 1

    Nissan Skyline

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.8%
    Dangerous
    2.1%

    Lower fail rate: 10.7%, against 27.2% for the Volvo 240, both built before 2000.

    1,007 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  2. 2

    Morris Minor 1000

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    18.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    8.8%
    Dangerous
    4.8%

    Lower fail rate: 18.5%, against 27.2% for the Volvo 240, both built before 2000.

    1,272 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  3. 3

    Jaguar XJ

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    21.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    93.8%

    Lower fail rate: 21.2%, against 27.2% for the Volvo 240, both built before 2000.

    5 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    4,238 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  4. 4

    BMW 3 Series

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    22.8%
    Still registered at 10 years
    89.8%

    Lower fail rate: 22.8%, against 27.2% for the Volvo 240, both built before 2000.

    15 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    17,892 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built before 2000 (over 25 years old), the Volvo 240 across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 1,523 25+ year old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Volvo 240 ever sold: 1,523 tests. The main figures are for cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old): 1,523 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.