1992 Volvo 240 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,254 MOT tests analysed for the 1992 Volvo 240, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 73.9% was below the average for cars of a similar age (78.1%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 28.9% in the 150k+ group versus 20.0% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.4% | 205 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.2% | 140 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.5% | 107 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.2% | 103 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.2% | 90 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.7% | 84 |
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 | 92 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 78 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 74 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 66 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 65 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 59 |
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 | 37.9% | 475 |
| 2 | Brakes | 22.6% | 283 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.2% | 216 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 17.0% | 213 |
| 5 | Tyres | 15.9% | 199 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 13.9% | 174 |
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 | 30 | 20.0% |
| 60-90k | 68 | 19.1% |
| 90-120k | 186 | 22.6% |
| 120-150k | 251 | 23.5% |
| 150k+ | 715 | 28.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 272 | 25.0% |
| 2022 | 273 | 27.5% |
| 2023 | 248 | 25.0% |
| 2024 | 238 | 27.3% |
| 2025 | 223 | 25.6% |
What to check before buying a 1992 240
Before buying a 1992 Volvo 240, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 16.4% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (16.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.2% 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.
- Brakes (8.5% 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.
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 1992 Volvo 240s pass their MOT?
73.9% of the 1,254 1992 Volvo 240 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1992 Volvo 240?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.4% of tests, followed by suspension (11.2%).
Does the 1992 240 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.0% in the 30-60k band to 28.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,254 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.