1993 Volvo 240 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1993 Volvo 240 passed 69.5% of its 1,474 recorded MOT tests. That is 7.2 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 23.4%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.1% of tests against 11.7% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, component mounting prescribed areas and stop lamp — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 166 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 20.0% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 32.7% once past 150k.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 40.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 21.1% | 311 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.7% | 172 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.7% | 158 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 10.1% | 149 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.0% | 132 |
| 6 | Visibility | 8.4% | 124 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 166 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 104 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 102 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 99 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 95 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 87 |
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 | 40.5% | 597 |
| 2 | Brakes | 24.3% | 358 |
| 3 | Tyres | 18.1% | 266 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 18.1% | 266 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.6% | 260 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 15.7% | 231 |
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 | 116 | 24.1% |
| 90-120k | 229 | 26.6% |
| 120-150k | 311 | 31.8% |
| 150k+ | 780 | 32.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 344 | 31.4% |
| 2022 | 295 | 28.5% |
| 2023 | 296 | 30.7% |
| 2024 | 277 | 31.8% |
| 2025 | 262 | 30.1% |
What to check before buying a 1993 240
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 21.1% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (21.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.7% 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 (10.7% 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 1993 Volvo 240s pass their MOT?
69.5% of the 1,474 1993 Volvo 240 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1993 Volvo 240?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.1% of tests, followed by suspension (11.7%).
Does the 1993 240 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.0% in the 30-60k band to 32.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,474 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.