Volvo 240 common problems and MOT failures
What goes wrong on a used Volvo 240, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 2,181 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.
The 1987 Volvo 240
Our MOT figures start with cars first registered in 1990. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Volvo 240 as a whole.
What to check on a 1987 car
- MOT history
Check the reg below: its MOT history shows what has been failed or advised, and whether the mileage adds up.
- Service history
Look for regular servicing and receipts for big jobs like a cambelt or clutch.
- Finance and write-offs
MOT records don’t show outstanding finance or insurance write-offs. A history check does.
- Test drive
Listen for knocks over bumps, check every warning light goes out, and make sure the gears and brakes feel right.
Other years
Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).
What usually goes wrong with a Volvo 240?
We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Volvo 240 in the UK buying guides we use yet. That doesn’t mean it has none, so check the car carefully and look at the MOT weak spots below.
Common Volvo 240 MOT failures to check
Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.
Suspension arm
up to 6× usualStands out on cars registered in 1990, 1992 and 1993.
Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.
Number plate lights
up to 2.9× usualStands out on cars registered in 1990, 1992 and 1993.
Rough price £5–£40 our estimateAt the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.
Steering rack inner joints
up to 5.6× usualStands out on cars registered in 1990 and 1992.
Rough price £100–£450 our estimateAt the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.
Brake lights
up to 3.4× usualStands out on cars registered in 1992 and 1993.
Rough price £10–£80 our estimateAt the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.
Flexible brake hoses
up to 2.9× usualStands out on cars registered in 1992 and 1993.
Rough price £50–£200 our estimateAt the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.
Volvo 240 MOT pass rate by year
Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a Volvo 240
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 6× as often on the Volvo 240 as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the Volvo 240 as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the steering rack inner joints? (Flagged at MOT 5.6× as often on the Volvo 240 as on other cars the same age.)
- 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, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score