At a Glance
The Volvo 240 Series has 48 identified problems that occur more often than the UK average, with Number plate lamp not working being the most reported. Brakes is the most common MOT failure category. Based on 93K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on this model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read how we calculate MOT pass rates and problems →
Below: the full MOT-data picture for the Volvo 240 Series — MOT pass rate vs the UK average, common problems vs UK fleet patterns, the most likely MOT failures by frequency, fault occurrence by mileage band, and pass/fail trends. All numbers drawn from DVSA records.
Volvo 240 Series MOT Pass Rate
Across 93K MOT tests from DVSA data, the Volvo 240 Series (1974–1993) has a fail rate of 46.2%.
All-time UK average fail rate: 34.9%
Common Volvo 240 Series Problems
Owner-submitted reports plus patterns we've identified across 559 million UK MOT tests. Each MOT-derived item below — whether tagged as a Problem, Wear & Tear or Consumable — shows up noticeably more often on this generation than across the UK fleet, which is why it's here. Owner reports are pinned to the top by default; use the sort and filter pills below to view a specific tier or change the order.
Number plate lamp not working
10,218
occurrences
Stop lamp not working
7,740
occurrences
Suspension pins, bushes or ball joints worn
7,371
occurrences
Exhaust system fault
7,062
occurrences
Wiper blades deteriorated
6,664
occurrences
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Volvo 240 Series owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Volvo 240 Series owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
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Problems by mileage
Common problems, MOT failures and advisories on the Volvo 240 Series, grouped by the mileage they typically appear at.
523 distinct problems · 231,010 total occurrences in current filter
Filter by fuel and engine size to narrow down to your car.
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Advisory items are MOT tester observations. Frequency can be influenced by driving style and usage patterns.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Volvo 240 Series problems?
Based on DVSA MOT data for the Volvo 240 Series (1974–1993), we have identified 48 common problems. The most frequently reported is "Number plate lamp not working". Brakes is the most common MOT failure category.
How reliable is the Volvo 240 Series?
This generation has 93K MOT tests on record with a 46.2% fail rate. A fault is flagged as a "Common Problem" only when it occurs significantly more often on this model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence.
What commonly fails the MOT on a Volvo 240 Series?
There are 173 distinct MOT failure types recorded for the Series (1974–1993), grouped by the mileage these failures typically occur. See the Common MOT Failures section on this page.
Can I report a problem with my Volvo 240 Series?
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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