1988 Volvo 240 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 940 MOT tests analysed for the 1988 Volvo 240, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension. Its pass rate of 74.3% was below the average for cars of a similar age (80.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 28.4% in the 150k+ group versus 22.7% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.6% | 156 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.2% | 86 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.2% | 86 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.3% | 69 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.5% | 61 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.4% | 41 |
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 | 75 |
| 2 | Prescribed areas | 53 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 46 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 42 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 41 |
| 6 | Washers | 39 |
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 | 32.5% | 305 |
| 2 | Brakes | 26.0% | 244 |
| 3 | Other defects | 20.8% | 196 |
| 4 | Tyres | 19.0% | 179 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 18.5% | 174 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.9% | 159 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 44 | 22.7% |
| 60-90k | 105 | 26.7% |
| 90-120k | 159 | 20.1% |
| 120-150k | 233 | 25.3% |
| 150k+ | 387 | 28.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 216 | 30.1% |
| 2022 | 196 | 24.5% |
| 2023 | 192 | 26.6% |
| 2024 | 176 | 25.6% |
| 2025 | 160 | 20.6% |
What to check before buying a 1988 240
Before buying a 1988 Volvo 240, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 16.6% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (16.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (9.2% 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 (9.2% 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 1988 Volvo 240s pass their MOT?
74.3% of the 940 1988 Volvo 240 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1988 Volvo 240?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.6% of tests, followed by brakes (9.2%).
Does the 1988 240 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.7% in the 30-60k band to 28.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 940 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.