Volvo 240 (1980)
1980 Volvo 240
CarHunch analysed 244 real MOT records for the 1980 Volvo 240. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1980 Volvo 240's 70.5% first-time pass rate falls noticeably short of the UK average of 80%, suggesting these cars need more remedial work before they're roadworthy—roughly one in three won't pass without fixes. With 13.9% having experienced a dangerous defect at some point, structural and safety issues are a real concern for a car now 44 years old.
At 105,160 miles median, these survivors have typically been well-used but not thrashed, yet they're still averaging 1.77 failures and 5.9 advisories per test, pointing to accumulated wear in seals, suspension, and emissions systems. If you're considering one, budget for proper pre-purchase inspection covering rust (a notorious Volvo 240 weakness) and have a mechanic specifically check the brake system and exhaust integrity before committing.
What to check before buying a 1980 Volvo 240
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Volvo 240
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (98%) | 238 | 70.4% | 1.76 |
| LPG (2%) | 4 | 66.3% | 3.25 |
| Diesel (1%) | 2 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1980 Volvo 240 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 1980 Volvo 240 vehicles fall between 72,291 and 131,827 miles.
1980 Volvo 240 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 14 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2021 (33% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2021.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1980 Volvo 240
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
36.7%
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive
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26.6%
Oil leak
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14.2%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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13.3%
Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases
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11.5%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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11.4%
Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated
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10.3%
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid
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10.2%
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1980. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Volvo 240?
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