Volvo 240 MOT failures and reliability

In 2023 the Volvo 240 took 1,404 MOT tests in Britain and passed 64% of them first time, below the national average of 71% for all cars. The figures below come from the DVSA's record of every test, so they show what testers actually found on these cars rather than what owners report.

MOT tests in 2023

1,404

First-time pass rate

64%

All cars

71%

What the 240 fails on

Share of tests with at least one failure in each area, against the figure for all cars.

• Lights and electrics19.5% (all cars 11.3%)
• Brakes10.4% (all cars 6.8%)
• Suspension10.1% (all cars 9.0%)
• Body and structure8.7% (all cars 3.5%)
• Visibility8.3% (all cars 4.8%)
• Exhaust and emissions6.9% (all cars 3.1%)
• Steering4.0% (all cars 1.8%)
• Seat belts and airbags3.9% (all cars 1.0%)

Most common failure items

Share of tests on which each item was recorded.

1. Rear fog lamp: not working 4.8%
2. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength 4.6%
3. Position lamp: not working 3.8%
4. Stop lamp: not working 3.8%
5. Prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced 3.6%
6. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases 3.0%
7. Washers: not working 2.8%
8. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid 2.7%

Most common advisories

1. Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive 13.0%
2. Non-component advisories: Play in steering rack inner joint(s) 9.3%
3. Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 8.4%
4. Wheel bearings: has slight play 7.9%
5. Tyres, condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing 7.7%
6. Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases 7.0%
7. Flexible brake hoses: slightly deteriorated 6.8%
8. Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened 6.2%

Check a particular 240

Model figures tell you what to look out for. To see one car's own MOT history, mileage and tax, enter its registration.

Other Volvo models

• Volvo XC60
• Volvo V40
• Volvo XC90
• Volvo XC40
• Volvo V70
• Volvo V60
• Volvo V50
• Volvo C30
• Volvo S60
• Volvo S40
• Volvo XC70
• Volvo V90
• Volvo C70
• Volvo S80
• Volvo S90
• Volvo 900 Series
• Volvo 800 Series

Source: Department for Transport, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023, cars and light vans, normal tests only. Pass rates are first-time passes; a pass after repair at the test station counts as a fail. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.