Home/Car check/Volvo/240

Volvo 240 car check

Find out if a Volvo 240 has outstanding finance, has been written off or stolen, how many owners it’s had, and which known problems apply to the generation you’re looking at.

Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian. Results in under a minute.

MOT failure rate
30.4%404 tests
Known problems
5across 240
Full report
£7.49one-off, no subscription

Which 240 are you looking at?

Each 240 generation has its own weak spots. Here are the known problems.

  1. Structural corrosion affecting load-bearing areas

    Safety risk 240

    The 240 series suffers structural corrosion in load-bearing areas around suspension mounting points, particularly rear spring towers and subframe attachment points. MOT data shows this model fails at 11.2x the fleet average for subframe corrosion and 9x the average for general structural corrosion. This is a safety-critical issue as it compromises the structural integrity of the vehicle. The problem is progressive and affects cars from 100,000 miles upwards as the protective coatings fail with age.

    What to check: Inspect the rear wheel arches from inside the boot - look for rust staining, cracked paint, or visible holes around the rear suspension mounting points. Check under the car around the front subframe mounting points for corrosion, paying attention to any areas where the metal appears thin or flaky...

  2. Flexible brake hose deterioration

    Safety risk 240

    The 240 series shows exceptionally high rates of brake hose failure, with MOT data indicating failure rates of 16.9x the fleet average for damaged hoses and 108.9x for hoses bulging under pressure. The rubber brake hoses deteriorate internally over time, causing reduced braking efficiency or complete brake failure. This affects all variants but is most severe on 2.0L models. Original specification hoses from the 1980s are now well beyond their safe service life.

    What to check: Inspect all visible brake hoses for cracking, bulging, or weeping brake fluid - pay particular attention to areas where hoses flex near wheel wells. Check brake fluid level in reservoir - low levels may indicate leakage from deteriorated hoses. Look for brake fluid staining on wheels or around br...

  3. Suspension bush and joint wear

    Wear item 240

    The 240 series exhibits excessive suspension wear rates, failing MOT tests at 15.9x the fleet average for worn suspension pins, bushes and joints. The original rubber bushes deteriorate significantly after 30+ years, causing poor handling, tyre wear, and eventual MOT failure. This affects both front wishbone bushes and rear trailing arm bushes. The problem is universal on surviving 240s due to their age.

    What to check: Rock the car by pushing down on each corner and releasing - excessive bouncing indicates worn suspension components. Inspect visible rubber bushes for cracking, perishing, or separation from metal components. Check tyre wear patterns - uneven wear may indicate suspension geometry problems from wo...

  4. Suspension component corrosion

    Wear item 240

    MOT data shows the 240 series fails at 8x the fleet average for corroded suspension components. The steel suspension arms and mounting brackets suffer significant corrosion after decades of exposure to salt and moisture. This particularly affects the rear trailing arms and front wishbones where protective coatings have failed. Corrosion can progress to the point where components become structurally unsafe.

    What to check: Inspect suspension arms and brackets for visible rust, pitting, or areas where the metal appears thin or flaky. Look for rust staining or orange deposits around suspension mounting points. Check for any previous welding repairs to suspension components. Pay particular attention to the rear traili...

  5. Emissions system degradation

    Engine damage risk 240

    The 240 series shows high MOT failure rates for emissions, with levels exceeding limits at 3L engines and 9.9x on 2.0L engines. The catalytic converters and lambda sensors degrade with age and mileage, causing elevated CO and HC emissions. The carburetor or early fuel injection systems also require adjustment to maintain proper mixture control after decades of service.

    What to check: Check exhaust smoke on a cold start - black smoke indicates rich mixture, blue smoke indicates oil burning. Inspect the exhaust system for any obvious damage or corrosion that might affect emissions. Ask for recent MOT certificates to check emissions test results and trends over time.

240 MOT results

30.4%

of 240 MOT tests end in a fail, from 404 tests.

Most common reasons for failing

  1. Headlight faultLights & Electrics
  2. Brake hoses perished or damagedBrakes
  3. Emissions failureExhaust & Emissions

Check the 240 you’re buying

One report covers outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and previous owners from Experian, plus MOT history, mileage and the known problems for its generation.

Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian.

What the check includes

240 questions

Is the Volvo 240 reliable?

30.4% of 240 models fail their MOT based on 404 tests analysed. That’s below average for the class. There are 5 known problems to watch for, the most serious being structural corrosion affecting load-bearing areas. A full history check shows whether a specific car has had related write-offs or insurance claims.

What are the main problems with a Volvo 240?

The most serious known issues are structural corrosion affecting load-bearing areas, flexible brake hose deterioration, suspension bush and joint wear. Our car check flags whether a specific 240 has been written off or had insurance claims linked to these faults.

How do I check if a Volvo 240 has outstanding finance?

Enter the registration on this page. We query Experian’s finance database and return any outstanding agreements within a minute. If finance is still owed, the finance company can legally repossess the car even after you’ve paid the seller. At £7.49 it’s the cheapest way to avoid a car that isn’t legally for sale.

How do I check if a Volvo 240 has been written off?

Our check queries Experian’s insurance write-off database for Cat A, B, S and N markers. A Cat S or N 240 has been structurally or non-structurally damaged and repaired. This doesn’t mean it’s unsafe, but it affects resale value and some insurers won’t cover it. The check costs £7.49.

Can I check a Volvo 240 for free?

You can check MOT history free on GOV.UK, which shows past test results and advisories. What it won’t show is outstanding finance, write-offs or theft markers, which are the things that actually cost you money after you’ve bought. Our full check adds all of that for £7.49, using Experian data.

Is a Volvo 240 HPI check worth it?

HPI is one brand of car check. Our check uses the same Experian data covering finance, stolen, write-off and keeper history, plus MOT analysis and known 240 faults that HPI doesn’t include. At £7.49 it’s typically less than half the price of an HPI check.

What does a Volvo 240 fail its MOT on?

The most common MOT failure on the 240 is headlight fault. 30.4% of 240 models fail overall, based on 404 tests. Checking a car’s full MOT history before buying shows you recurring problems the seller might not mention.

More on the 240

Other Volvo car checks

Volvo 700 Series5 known problems Volvo 800 Series5 known problems Volvo 900 Series5 known problems Volvo C3025% MOT failure rate Volvo C7026.5% MOT failure rate Volvo S4027.3% MOT failure rate

Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian. MOT data from DVSA. Known problems from GetCarWise analysis. Updated October 2026.