1990 Volvo 240 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,229 MOT tests, the 1990 Volvo 240 recorded a 74.9% pass rate. Against all cars of a similar age (21.8% fail rate), the 1990 240 comes out 3.3pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 16.0% of all tests — 7.6 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are prescribed areas, component mounting prescribed areas and position lamp — prescribed areas alone was recorded 72 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 16.4% in the 30-60k band and 26.7% in the 150k+ band, a 10.3-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 35.3% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.0% | 196 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.3% | 102 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.1% | 99 |
| 4 | Visibility | 7.7% | 95 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.5% | 92 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 3.8% | 47 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prescribed areas | 72 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 69 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 67 |
| 4 | Washers | 64 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 63 |
| 6 | Stop 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 | 35.3% | 434 |
| 2 | Brakes | 26.0% | 319 |
| 3 | Other defects | 19.9% | 245 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.5% | 215 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 16.7% | 205 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 16.3% | 200 |
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 | 55 | 16.4% |
| 60-90k | 120 | 22.5% |
| 90-120k | 202 | 25.7% |
| 120-150k | 278 | 25.5% |
| 150k+ | 555 | 26.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 254 | 26.4% |
| 2022 | 263 | 25.1% |
| 2023 | 259 | 23.9% |
| 2024 | 229 | 23.6% |
| 2025 | 224 | 26.3% |
What to check before buying a 1990 240
On a 1990 240, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (8.3% 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 (8.1% 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 1990 Volvo 240s pass their MOT?
74.9% of the 1,229 1990 Volvo 240 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1990 Volvo 240?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.0% of tests, followed by brakes (8.3%).
Does the 1990 240 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.4% in the 30-60k band to 26.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,229 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.