At a Glance
The Volvo 740 has 48 identified common problems across 1 generation, with the 740 (1984-1992) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 118K 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 740 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 740 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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Most Common Volvo 740 MOT Failures
Every reason Volvo 740 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 | 18.60% |
| 2 | Track rod end worn | 9.90% |
| 3 | Brake pads or linings worn | 8.75% |
| 4 | Tyre condition | 7.90% |
| 5 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 7.34% |
| 6 | Brake disc or drum worn | 5.53% |
| 7 | Headlamp aim defect | 4.40% |
| 8 | Body corrosion or damage | 3.35% |
| 9 | Brake performance below minimum | 2.91% |
| 10 | Exhaust system fault | 2.07% |
| 11 | Number plate lamp not working | 1.98% |
| 12 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 1.80% |
| 13 | Chassis condition | 1.59% |
| 14 | Position lamp not working | 1.14% |
| 15 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 1.14% |
| 16 | Spring mounting corroded | 1.05% |
| 17 | Front lamp not working | 1.00% |
| 18 | Front suspension fault | 0.83% |
| 19 | Stop lamp not working | 0.78% |
| 20 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.74% |
| 21 | Indicator fault | 0.70% |
| 22 | Windscreen washer not working | 0.70% |
| 23 | Steering rack fault | 0.67% |
| 24 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.65% |
| 25 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.61% |
| 26 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.54% |
| 27 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 0.54% |
| 28 | Drag link end worn | 0.51% |
| 29 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 0.48% |
| 30 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.47% |
| 31 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 0.47% |
| 32 | Fog lamp not working | 0.45% |
| 33 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.44% |
| 34 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.38% |
| 35 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.38% |
| 36 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.38% |
| 37 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.37% |
| 38 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.34% |
| 39 | Rear lamp not working | 0.32% |
| 40 | Rear suspension fault | 0.30% |
| 41 | Headlamp fault | 0.25% |
| 42 | Horn not working | 0.24% |
| 43 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.23% |
| 44 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.23% |
| 45 | Parking brake condition | 0.22% |
| 46 | Steering coupling worn | 0.22% |
| 47 | Brake clevis joint worn | 0.21% |
| 48 | Steering lock fault | 0.20% |
| 49 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.19% |
| 50 | Seat belt condition | 0.18% |
| 51 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.17% |
| 52 | Brake lever fault | 0.17% |
| 53 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.16% |
| 54 | Brake relay lever fault | 0.15% |
| 55 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.15% |
| 56 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.15% |
| 57 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.15% |
| 58 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.14% |
| 59 | Speedometer fault | 0.14% |
| 60 | Towbar fault | 0.13% |
| 61 | Steering shaft fault | 0.12% |
| 62 | Suspension unit fault | 0.12% |
| 63 | ABS fault | 0.11% |
| 64 | Electrical switch fault | 0.10% |
| 65 | Power steering pump fault | 0.10% |
| 66 | Steering drive system fault | 0.10% |
| 67 | Brake fluid leak | 0.10% |
| 68 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | 0.10% |
| 69 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 0.10% |
| 70 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.10% |
| 71 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | 0.10% |
| 72 | Body security fault | 0.09% |
| 73 | Engine oil leak | 0.09% |
| 74 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.09% |
| 75 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.09% |
| 76 | Brake pedal fault | 0.09% |
| 77 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.09% |
| 78 | Brake stationary pin worn | 0.08% |
| 79 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.08% |
| 80 | Steering free play excessive | 0.08% |
| 81 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.08% |
| 82 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.08% |
| 83 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | 0.08% |
| 84 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.07% |
| 85 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.07% |
| 86 | Driveshaft fault | 0.07% |
| 87 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.07% |
| 88 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.07% |
| 89 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.07% |
| 90 | Vehicle floor corroded | 0.06% |
| 91 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.06% |
| 92 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.06% |
| 93 | Steering column fault | 0.06% |
| 94 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.05% |
| 95 | Propshaft fault | 0.05% |
| 96 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.05% |
| 97 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.05% |
| 98 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | 0.05% |
| 99 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | 0.04% |
| 100 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.04% |
| 101 | Steering arm worn | 0.04% |
| 102 | Brake caliper fault | 0.04% |
| 103 | Brake linkage mounting fault | 0.03% |
| 104 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.03% |
| 105 | Steering operation fault | 0.03% |
| 106 | Driver seat fault | 0.03% |
| 107 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.03% |
| 108 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.03% |
| 109 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.03% |
| 110 | Power steering ram fault | 0.03% |
| 111 | Transmission oil leak | 0.02% |
| 112 | Passenger seat fault | 0.02% |
| 113 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.01% |
| 114 | Exhaust leak | 0.01% |
| 115 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 116 | Driver door fault | 0.01% |
| 117 | Indicator warning light fault | 0.01% |
| 118 | Main beam warning light fault | 0.01% |
| 119 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 120 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.01% |
| 121 | Brake servo fault | 0.01% |
| 122 | Semaphore indicator fault | 0.01% |
| 123 | Steering damper fault | 0.01% |
| 124 | Suspension coupling worn | 0.01% |
| 125 | Window damaged or won't operate | 0.01% |
| 126 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.01% |
| 127 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 128 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 130 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Front passenger door fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 134 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 135 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 136 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Airbag warning light on | <0.01% |
| 138 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 139 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 140 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 142 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 144 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 145 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 148 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 149 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 150 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 151 | Electronic stability control fault | <0.01% |
| 152 | Headlamp washer not working | <0.01% |
| 153 | Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 154 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 155 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 156 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 158 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
Showing all 158 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Volvo 740 MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Volvo 740, 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 740 problems?
Based on analysis of 118K Volvo 740 MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 48 identified common problems across 1 generation. The most frequently flagged issue is "Exhaust system fault". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Volvo 740 generation has the most problems?
The Volvo 740 740 (1984-1992) (1984–1992) has the highest number of identified common problems (60). 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 740?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Volvo 740 owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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