Volvo 240 (1990)
1990 Volvo 240
CarHunch analysed 2,745 real MOT records for the 1990 Volvo 240. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1990 Volvo 240 passes its MOT first time in only 67% of cases, well below the UK average of 80%, suggesting these nearly 35-year-old cars need more remedial work than most vehicles of any age. With 16% having experienced a dangerous defect, buyers should factor in the real possibility of serious safety issues when inspecting a used example.
These 2,745 cars average 147,000 miles—reasonable for their age—but accumulate 2.37 failures and 9.1 advisories per test, indicating widespread wear across multiple systems rather than isolated problems. Before purchasing, get a pre-buy inspection that specifically checks suspension, braking, and fuel system components, as the frequency of failures suggests these areas are particular weak points on ageing 240s.
What to check before buying a 1990 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%) | 2,728 | 66.8% | 2.36 |
| LPG (0%) | 9 | 62.4% | 3.33 |
| Diesel (0%) | 8 | 54.3% | 3.88 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1990 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 1990 Volvo 240 vehicles fall between 117,219 and 172,136 miles.
1990 Volvo 240 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 168 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (44% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1990 Volvo 240
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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25.6%
Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated
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23.2%
Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated
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22.8%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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20.2%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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20%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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19.1%
Oil leak
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18.4%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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15.2%
Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1990. 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.