Volvo 245 (1980)
1980 Volvo 245
CarHunch analysed 120 real MOT records for the 1980 Volvo 245. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1980 Volvo 245 passes its MOT first time just 40% of the time—well below the UK average of 80%—making it a genuinely risky buy unless you're prepared for remedial work and retests. The good news is that dangerous defects are absent from this cohort, so failures tend to be fixable rather than safety-critical.
With a median mileage of 82,920 miles for a 44-year-old vehicle, these survivors have been relatively well-preserved, yet they're still averaging 0.1 advisories per test, suggesting wear that accumulates across multiple systems rather than one catastrophic fault. Before purchasing, get a pre-buy inspection from a Volvo-knowledgeable mechanic and budget for at least one MOT retest cycle.
What to check before buying a 1980 Volvo 245
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 245
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Mileage Distribution
Most 1980 Volvo 245 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 245 vehicles fall between 82,920 and 82,920 miles.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1980 Volvo 245
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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66.7%
Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing BOTH FRONT TYRES OUTER SIDE WALLS PERISHED.
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66.7%
Offside Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases REAR BOX.
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66.7%
Nearside Rear Outer Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing OUTER SIDE WALLS PERISHED.
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33.3%
Offside Front Tyre wheel/tyre protruding beyond wheel arch
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33.3%
corrosion noted along os outer sill to under floor
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33.3%
Central Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened
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33.3%
Central Rear Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()
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33.3%
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1980. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Volvo 245?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.