1987 Volvo 240 — MOT failures & pass rate
432 MOT tests on the 1987 Volvo 240 are in this dataset, and 75.5% of them passed. That is 3.9 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 20.6%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 14.1% of all tests — 5.3 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, headlamp aim and prescribed areas — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 31 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 20.5% of 60-90k cars fail, rising to 28.4% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 29.4% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.1% | 61 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.8% | 38 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.8% | 38 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.0% | 26 |
| 5 | Steering | 5.6% | 24 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.6% | 24 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 31 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 22 |
| 3 | Prescribed areas | 21 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 20 |
| 5 | Washers | 19 |
| 6 | Flexible brake hoses | 16 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 29.4% | 127 |
| 2 | Brakes | 23.2% | 100 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 16.4% | 71 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.3% | 66 |
| 5 | Other defects | 12.0% | 52 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 11.1% | 48 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 78 | 20.5% |
| 90-120k | 90 | 23.3% |
| 120-150k | 81 | 25.9% |
| 150k+ | 141 | 28.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 102 | 27.5% |
| 2022 | 91 | 24.2% |
| 2023 | 78 | 20.5% |
| 2024 | 81 | 23.5% |
| 2025 | 80 | 26.3% |
What to check before buying a 1987 240
On a 1987 240, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (14.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (8.8% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Suspension (8.8% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1987 Volvo 240s pass their MOT?
75.5% of the 432 1987 Volvo 240 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1987 Volvo 240?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.1% of tests, followed by brakes (8.8%).
Does the 1987 240 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.5% in the 60-90k band to 28.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 432 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.