Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1987 Volvo 740 Gl S/r?

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 1987 Volvo 740 Gl S/r?

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 1987 Volvo 740 Gl S/r?

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 1987 Volvo 740 Gl S/r?

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 740 Gl S/r (1987)

588 real MOT outcomes analysed • 0.2% first-time pass rate

1987 Volvo 740 Gl S/r

CarHunch analysed 588 real MOT records for the 1987 Volvo 740 Gl S/r. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

This 1987 Volvo 740 is in dire condition across the board: only 20% of these cars pass their MOT on the first attempt, versus the UK average of 80%, and the petrol variants show a 0% pass rate entirely. No dangerous defects were recorded, but the complete absence of any first-time passes tells you these vehicles are fundamentally unreliable by modern standards and require serious mechanical work to be roadworthy.

With an average mileage of 190,718 miles at 37 years old, these cars have been driven hard and are simply worn out. If you're considering one, budget heavily for immediate repairs and treat any "running" 740 as a project car rather than daily transport—have a pre-purchase inspection by a specialist before committing any money.

Below average reliability 79.8% below UK average

0.2%

pass MOT first time

UK average: ~80%

ever had a dangerous defect

recorded at any MOT

avg MOT failures per car

over 1 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1987 Volvo 740 Gl S/r

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 740 Gl S/r

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

Inspection

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate
Petrol (99%)	585	0%
Diesel (0%)	2	0%
Other (0%)	1	100%

MOT History Averages

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Found a specific Volvo 740 Gl S/r?

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

Other model years — Volvo 740 Gl S/r:

1986 1988 1989 1990 1991