Volvo 240 (1982)
1982 Volvo 240
CarHunch analysed 306 real MOT records for the 1982 Volvo 240. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1982 Volvo 240's 65.4% first-time pass rate falls well short of the UK average of 80%, signalling that these cars are ageing into a period where mechanical issues are routine rather than exceptional. With 12.4% of vehicles having suffered a dangerous defect at some point, buyers should expect to budget for safety-critical repairs rather than treat this as a low-maintenance classic.
At 111,822 miles on average, these cars have lived hard lives, yet they're still turning up for MOT—a testament to Volvo's build quality, if not their current condition. The typical vehicle racks up 1.77 failures and 4.8 advisories per test, which means you're looking at an older car that needs consistent remedial work; if you're not comfortable with regular garage visits, this isn't the purchase for you.
What to check before buying a 1982 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 (99%) | 304 | 65.5% | 1.78 |
| Diesel (1%) | 2 | 50% | 1 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1982 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 1982 Volvo 240 vehicles fall between 79,757 and 136,578 miles.
1982 Volvo 240 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 21 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2022 (46% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2022.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1982 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 1982. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Volvo 240?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.