1993 Volvo 900 Series petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1993 Volvo 900 Series petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1993 Volvo 900 Series petrol than on all cars registered in 1993.

• Exhaust system2.1× usual
  Volvo 900 Series

  19.8% All 1993 cars

  9.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.1%, against 2.8% of all 1993 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

• Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2.5× usual
  Volvo 900 Series

  10% All 1993 cars

  4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 9.9%, against 3.9% of all 1993 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for an engine warning light.

• Anti-roll bar link bushes4.6× usual
  Volvo 900 Series

  7.3% All 1993 cars

  1.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.3% of all 1993 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

  At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

• Number plates2.5× usual
  Volvo 900 Series

  9.7% All 1993 cars

  3.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.6% of all 1993 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

• Battery2.5× usual
  Volvo 900 Series

  6.3% All 1993 cars

  2.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.7% of all 1993 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£200 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the car starts cleanly and there are no warning lights once running.

Common 1993 Volvo 900 Series petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1993 Volvo 900 Series petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  34% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  31% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Brakes
  30% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  27% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for an engine warning light.

• Tyres
  23% 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  23% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1993 Volvo 900 Series petrol

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

1. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 1993 Volvo 900 Series petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the exhaust emissions (catalyst)? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 1993 Volvo 900 Series petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link bushes? (Flagged at MOT 4.6× as often on the 1993 Volvo 900 Series petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?