Volvo 240
Registered from 1990 to 1993.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 1993 2.0 petrol. 82 of 266 tests failed, 31%.
Better than 9% of 1993 cars. The typical one fails 23%, across 93 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 63% | 52 |
| Brakes | 34% | 28 |
| Suspension | 30% | 25 |
| Visibility | 30% | 25 |
| Body and structure | 28% | 23 |
| Exhaust and emissions | 26% | 21 |
The defects inspectors cite
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
- A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps
- An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- Emissions levels exceed default limits
- The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
- Exhaust system leaking or insecure
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Brakes — 34% of its failures
- Suspension — 30% of its failures
- The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- Exhaust and emissions — 26% of its failures
- Emissions levels exceed default limits
- Exhaust system leaking or insecure
- Lights and electrics — 63% of its failures
- A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps
- An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- Visibility — 30% of its failures
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
- Body and structure — 28% of its failures
- The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
When it starts failing
Most of these pass at every mileage on record.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100–120k miles | 32% | — | 34 | |
| 140–160k miles | 31% | — | 36 | |
| 160–180k miles | 33% | — | 43 | |
| 180–200k miles | 28% | — | 39 | |
| 200k+ miles | 43% | — | 47 |
199 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.