Used car guide

1991 Volvo 240: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Volvo 240 first registered in 1991: we looked at the 369 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 369 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

369MOTs of 1991 cars, done in 2023–2025
67%pass first time (all 1991 cars: 71%)
4,200typical miles a year
5.1×the usual rate for steering rack inner joints

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1991 Volvo 240?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1991 Volvo 240 than on all cars registered in 1991.

  • Steering rack inner joints5.1× usual
    Volvo 240
    11.7% All 1991 cars
    2.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 1991 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Flexible brake hoses2.5× usual
    Volvo 240
    12.2% All 1991 cars
    4.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.9% of all 1991 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£200 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.

Common 1991 Volvo 240 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1991 Volvo 240 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    37% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    29% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    27% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    17% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Tyres
    16% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Rust and bodywork
    15% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1991 Volvo 240

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the steering rack inner joints? (Flagged at MOT 5.1× as often on the 1991 Volvo 240 as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the flexible brake hoses? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 1991 Volvo 240 as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Volvo 240?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Volvo 240 compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
1993652Suspension 45%
1992581Suspension 42%
1990579Suspension 39%
1989–Too few tests
1988–Too few tests
1987–Too few tests
1986–Too few tests
1985–Too few tests
1984–Too few tests
1983–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Volvo 240 cars first registered in 1991. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score