Volvo 240 MOT Check

MOT pass rates, common failures, and reliability data for the Volvo 240. Check any 240 by registration number below.

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70.1%

Avg Pass Rate

-17.6%

vs Volvo Avg

Year Ranges

Average

Reliability

Volvo 240 — MOT Reliability Overview

The Volvo 240 has an average MOT pass rate of 70.1%, which is 17.6 percentage points below the Volvo brand average of 87.7%. This is a reasonable result that reflects typical UK reliability standards. Regular servicing and addressing advisories promptly will help keep your 240 on the road.

The most common reasons a Volvo 240 fails its MOT are the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced. If you are preparing your 240 for its MOT, checking these areas first could save you a retest fee. Our detailed fault analysis includes estimated repair costs for each failure type.

Before buying a used Volvo 240, we recommend checking the full MOT history, write-off status, outstanding finance, and stolen vehicle status. These checks can be done for free using the registration number.

MOT Pass Rate by Year

How the Volvo 240 performs at MOT across different model years.

1993

Based on 813 vehicles

59.2%Below Average

Volvo average: 87.7%

Dangerous Defects

3.3%

Retest Rate

32.2%

1992

Based on 721 vehicles

68.5%Average

Volvo average: 87.7%

Dangerous Defects

3.1%

Retest Rate

22.1%

1991

Based on 465 vehicles

72.7%Average

Volvo average: 87.7%

Dangerous Defects

2.1%

Retest Rate

18.7%

1990

Based on 695 vehicles

70.9%Average

Volvo average: 87.7%

Dangerous Defects

3.6%

Retest Rate

27.3%

1989

Based on 804 vehicles

68.3%Average

Volvo average: 87.7%

Dangerous Defects

1.7%

Retest Rate

25.9%

1988

Based on 516 vehicles

67.6%Average

Volvo average: 87.7%

Dangerous Defects

1.9%

Retest Rate

21.6%

1987

Based on 246 vehicles

74.8%Average

Volvo average: 87.7%

Dangerous Defects

1.1%

Retest Rate

16.6%

1986

Based on 114 vehicles

67.5%Average

Volvo average: 87.7%

Dangerous Defects

2.7%

Retest Rate

29.7%

1985

Based on 82 vehicles

59.8%Below Average

Volvo average: 87.7%

Dangerous Defects

0.0%

Retest Rate

35.8%

1984

Based on 103 vehicles

73.8%Average

Volvo average: 87.7%

Dangerous Defects

1.4%

Retest Rate

4.3%

1983

Based on 38 vehicles

84.2%Good

Volvo average: 87.7%

Retest Rate

5.3%

0

Based on 1,730 vehicles

73.9%Average

Volvo average: 87.7%

Mileage at 5yr

144k mi

Top MOT Failures — Volvo 240

The most common reasons a Volvo 240 fails its MOT, aggregated across all year ranges.

The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired

5.4%

Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning

4.9%

Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced

4.3%

A tyre seriously damaged

4.1%

The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired

3.9%

Volvo 240 Common Faults & Repair Costs

Where Failures Occur

The areas of the vehicle most commonly flagged during MOT inspections.

Rear Nearside

11.2%

Front Nearside

10.2%

Rear Offside

9.3%

Other Volvo Models

Compare MOT reliability across Volvo models.

Volvo V90 R-design T6 Recharge Awd A

80.8% pass rate

Volvo V60 Momentum + D3 Auto

86.8% pass rate

Volvo V60

82.5% pass rate

Volvo Xc60 Rdesign Pro B4 Mhev Awd A

92.4% pass rate

Volvo C30 1,6

91.8% pass rate

Volvo 850

92.4% pass rate

Useful MOT Guides

Common MOT Failures

The most common reasons UK vehicles fail their MOT — and how to prepare.

MOT Checklist

Pre-MOT checklist to improve your chances of passing first time.

Advisory vs Failure

Understanding the difference between MOT advisories and failures.

See detailed fault analysis for Volvo 240

Volvo 240 — Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the Volvo 240 MOT and reliability.

What is the MOT pass rate for the Volvo 240?

The average MOT pass rate for the Volvo 240 is 70.1% compared to the Volvo average of 87.7%. Pass rates vary by year — check the year-by-year breakdown on this page for details.

What are the most common MOT failures on a Volvo 240?

The most common MOT failures on the Volvo 240 are: The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired (5.4%), Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning (4.9%), Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced (4.3%). These are the components most likely to cause an MOT failure.

Is the Volvo 240 reliable?

With an average MOT pass rate of 70.1%, the Volvo 240 is rated as "Average" for reliability. This is around average — regular maintenance is recommended to avoid common failure points.

How do I check the MOT history of a Volvo 240?

Enter the vehicle's registration number in the search box at the top of this page. You will instantly see the complete MOT history including every test result, mileage readings, advisories, and dangerous defects — completely free.

What mileage should I expect on a Volvo 240?

Typical mileage for the Volvo 240: 143,699 miles at 5 years. Use these benchmarks when evaluating a used 240 to spot vehicles with unusually high or low mileage.

Check Your Volvo 240's MOT History

Enter the registration number for the full MOT history — free and instant.