At a Glance
The Volvo 240 has 48 identified common problems across 1 generation, with the Series (1974-1993) being the most affected generation and suspension the most common problem category. Based on 97K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Volvo 240 common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Volvo 240 generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Volvo 240 Generations
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Most Common Volvo 240 MOT Failures
Every reason Volvo 240 vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 12.25% |
| 2 | Brake performance below minimum | 11.01% |
| 3 | Windscreen washer not working | 5.20% |
| 4 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 5.08% |
| 5 | Tyre condition | 4.22% |
| 6 | Front lamp not working | 4.22% |
| 7 | Track rod end worn | 3.68% |
| 8 | Number plate lamp not working | 3.28% |
| 9 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 3.12% |
| 10 | Brake disc or drum worn | 2.70% |
| 11 | Exhaust system fault | 2.58% |
| 12 | Body corrosion or damage | 2.47% |
| 13 | Front suspension fault | 2.12% |
| 14 | Chassis condition | 1.97% |
| 15 | Suspension mounting corroded | 1.93% |
| 16 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 1.76% |
| 17 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 1.72% |
| 18 | Front suspension joint worn | 1.63% |
| 19 | Position lamp not working | 1.51% |
| 20 | Stop lamp not working | 1.43% |
| 21 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 1.34% |
| 22 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 1.20% |
| 23 | Headlamp aim defect | 1.11% |
| 24 | Steering rack fault | 0.96% |
| 25 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.92% |
| 26 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.89% |
| 27 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.87% |
| 28 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.84% |
| 29 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.84% |
| 30 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.83% |
| 31 | Brake pads or linings worn | 0.82% |
| 32 | Parking brake condition | 0.81% |
| 33 | Steering free play excessive | 0.81% |
| 34 | Horn not working | 0.77% |
| 35 | Indicator fault | 0.67% |
| 36 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.62% |
| 37 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.56% |
| 38 | Fog lamp not working | 0.55% |
| 39 | Rear lamp not working | 0.50% |
| 40 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.41% |
| 41 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 0.38% |
| 42 | Headlamp fault | 0.38% |
| 43 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.36% |
| 44 | Brake fluid leak | 0.35% |
| 45 | Seat belt condition | 0.34% |
| 46 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.33% |
| 47 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.33% |
| 48 | Drag link end worn | 0.32% |
| 49 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.32% |
| 50 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.30% |
| 51 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.29% |
| 52 | Steering operation fault | 0.29% |
| 53 | Brake caliper fault | 0.28% |
| 54 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.22% |
| 55 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.22% |
| 56 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.20% |
| 57 | Steering lock fault | 0.19% |
| 58 | Rear suspension fault | 0.18% |
| 59 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.18% |
| 60 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.17% |
| 61 | Steering column fault | 0.17% |
| 62 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | 0.15% |
| 63 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.15% |
| 64 | Brake pedal fault | 0.15% |
| 65 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.15% |
| 66 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.14% |
| 67 | Power steering ram fault | 0.14% |
| 68 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.13% |
| 69 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.12% |
| 70 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.11% |
| 71 | Towbar fault | 0.11% |
| 72 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.10% |
| 73 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.10% |
| 74 | Engine oil leak | 0.09% |
| 75 | Speedometer fault | 0.08% |
| 76 | Suspension unit fault | 0.08% |
| 77 | Vehicle floor corroded | 0.08% |
| 78 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.08% |
| 79 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.08% |
| 80 | Steering coupling worn | 0.08% |
| 81 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | 0.07% |
| 82 | Brake stationary pin worn | 0.07% |
| 83 | Power steering pump fault | 0.06% |
| 84 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.06% |
| 85 | Steering arm worn | 0.06% |
| 86 | Steering shaft fault | 0.06% |
| 87 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.06% |
| 88 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | 0.05% |
| 89 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.05% |
| 90 | Electrical switch fault | 0.05% |
| 91 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | 0.05% |
| 92 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.05% |
| 93 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | 0.05% |
| 94 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.05% |
| 95 | Passenger seat fault | 0.05% |
| 96 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.04% |
| 97 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.04% |
| 98 | Driver seat fault | 0.04% |
| 99 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.04% |
| 100 | Driver door fault | 0.04% |
| 101 | Radius arm worn or corroded | 0.04% |
| 102 | Steering drive system fault | 0.04% |
| 103 | Front passenger door fault | 0.04% |
| 104 | Spare wheel fault | 0.04% |
| 105 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | 0.04% |
| 106 | ABS fault | 0.03% |
| 107 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.03% |
| 108 | Body security fault | 0.03% |
| 109 | Brake valve fault | 0.03% |
| 110 | Driveshaft fault | 0.03% |
| 111 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.03% |
| 112 | Steering box fault | 0.03% |
| 113 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.03% |
| 114 | Universal joint worn | 0.03% |
| 115 | Brake lever fault | 0.02% |
| 116 | Brake master cylinder fault | 0.02% |
| 117 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.02% |
| 118 | Axle corroded or damaged | 0.02% |
| 119 | Dip switch fault | 0.02% |
| 120 | Propshaft fault | 0.02% |
| 121 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 122 | Access panel damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 123 | Airbag warning light on | 0.02% |
| 124 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | 0.02% |
| 125 | Exhaust leak | 0.02% |
| 126 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | 0.01% |
| 127 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.01% |
| 128 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | 0.01% |
| 129 | Transmission oil leak | 0.01% |
| 130 | Brake linkage mounting fault | 0.01% |
| 131 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | 0.01% |
| 132 | Indicator warning light fault | 0.01% |
| 133 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 134 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 138 | Undertray damaged or missing | <0.01% |
| 139 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 140 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 141 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 144 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 145 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 147 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 148 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 149 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 151 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 152 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 153 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Suspension air bellows damaged | <0.01% |
| 155 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 156 | Dropside damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 157 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 158 | Headlamp levelling device fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 160 | Reversing lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 161 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
Showing all 161 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Volvo 240 MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Volvo 240, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Volvo 240 problems?
Based on analysis of 97K Volvo 240 MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 48 identified common problems across 1 generation. The most frequently flagged issue is "Number plate lamp not working". Suspension is the most common problem category.
Which Volvo 240 generation has the most problems?
The Volvo 240 Series (1974-1993) (1974–1993) has the highest number of identified common problems (58). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Volvo 240?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Volvo 240 owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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