1989 Volvo 240 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,401 MOT tests, the 1989 Volvo 240 recorded a 75.2% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 21.3% of the time, so this is 3.5pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 16.1% of all tests — 6.6 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, washers and stop lamp — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 100 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 16.1% in the 0-30k band and 30.0% in the 150k+ band, a 13.9-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 24.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 25.7% in 2021 to 23.3% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.1% | 226 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.5% | 133 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.4% | 118 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.1% | 100 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.1% | 99 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.9% | 68 |
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 | 100 |
| 2 | Washers | 73 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 72 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 72 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 65 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 61 |
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 | 24.5% | 343 |
| 2 | Brakes | 21.5% | 301 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.8% | 249 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 15.2% | 213 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 15.1% | 211 |
| 6 | Tyres | 13.8% | 193 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 31 | 16.1% |
| 30-60k | 67 | 22.4% |
| 60-90k | 157 | 16.6% |
| 90-120k | 280 | 22.1% |
| 120-150k | 296 | 23.0% |
| 150k+ | 569 | 30.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 315 | 25.7% |
| 2022 | 298 | 24.2% |
| 2023 | 266 | 23.3% |
| 2024 | 277 | 27.1% |
| 2025 | 245 | 23.3% |
What to check before buying a 1989 240
On a 1989 240, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (9.5% 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 (8.4% 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 1989 Volvo 240s pass their MOT?
75.2% of the 1,401 1989 Volvo 240 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1989 Volvo 240?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.1% of tests, followed by brakes (9.5%).
Does the 1989 240 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.1% in the 0-30k band to 30.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,401 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.