Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1982 Volvo 244?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 1982 Volvo 244?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 1982 Volvo 244?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1982 Volvo 244?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Volvo 244 (1982)

102 real MOT outcomes analysed • 1.5% first-time pass rate

1982 Volvo 244

CarHunch analysed 102 real MOT records for the 1982 Volvo 244. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 78.5% below UK average

1.5%

pass MOT first time

UK average: ~80%

75,430

typical mileage

48,303–75,430 middle half

ever had a dangerous defect

recorded at any MOT

0.01

avg MOT failures per car

over 1 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1982 Volvo 244

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 244

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

Inspection

Have a qualified mechanic check this car before you commit to buying →

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (97%)	99	1.5%	0.01
Diesel (3%)	3	0%	0

Mileage Distribution

Most 1982 Volvo 244 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.

48,303

low mileage

75,430

typical

75,430

high mileage

Half of all 1982 Volvo 244 vehicles fall between 48,303 and 75,430 miles.

MOT History Averages

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.01

Avg failures per vehicle

0.1

Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1982 Volvo 244

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

100%

General rust to body
100%

Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened All
100%

Oil leak, but not excessive
50%

Windscreen washer not working Both
50%

Offside Front Coil spring fractured or broken
50%

Front Tyre(s) of different sizes are fitted on the same axle.
50%

Nearside Front Coil spring fractured or broken
50%

Rear Tyre(s) of different sizes are fitted on the same axle.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1982. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Volvo 244?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

Other model years — Volvo 244:

1980