What goes wrong, what it costs, and what to check before you buy a used Volvo 240.
The Volvo 240 occupies a niche position on the UK market.
We track 5 known issues across the Volvo 240 range, including 2 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Volvo 240? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
240 (1974–1993) — Engine options included the 2.0L B20/B200 series, 2.3L B23 series. Our database flags 5 known issues on this generation, 2 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Structural corrosion affecting load-bearing areas (£800–£2,000 to address).
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.
If structural corrosion progresses, suspension components can detach from the bodyshell, causing complete loss of vehicle control. Repair requires professional welding of new metal sections. Costs typically range from £800-£2000 depending on extent. The car is unsafe to drive if significant structural corrosion is present.
Inspect the wheel arches, sills, jacking points and door bottoms carefully. Press gently on sills to check for soft spots. Look underneath for corrosion on structural components. Check the MOT history for corrosion-related advisories or failures.
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.
Failed brake hoses can cause complete loss of braking ability on affected wheels or catastrophic brake failure. The vehicle should not be driven if brake hose bulging or fluid leakage is observed. Replacement of all flexible hoses is typically required on vehicles of this age.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
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.
Worn suspension bushes cause poor handling, increased tyre wear, and eventual MOT failure. While not immediately dangerous, severely worn bushes can affect vehicle stability and braking performance. Complete suspension bush replacement is typically required on vehicles of this age.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
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.
Severely corroded suspension components can fail suddenly, causing loss of vehicle control. Professional assessment is required to determine whether components can be repaired or must be replaced. Replacement of corroded suspension arms typically required on high-mileage examples.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
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.
High emissions levels cause MOT failure and may indicate underlying engine wear or fuel system problems. Repair typically involves catalytic converter replacement, lambda sensor renewal, or carburetor adjustment. The car remains safe to drive but will fail annual testing until repaired.
Check for any engine warning lights on the dashboard. Ask about the car's MOT emissions history — repeated failures suggest underlying issues. A pre-purchase diagnostic scan is especially worthwhile to check for stored emissions fault codes.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Volvo 240 common problems page.
Based on 9k real DVSA MOT tests, the Volvo 240 fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is headlight fault at 246x the fleet average, followed by brake hoses perished or damaged (109x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Volvo 240 MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 6k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.
The bigger-ticket items to budget for include timing belt and tensioner (£350–£500).
See the full Volvo 240 service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Volvo 240 has some well-documented weak points, including 2 safety-critical issues that demand careful checking. The right example, properly maintained, can still be a sound purchase — but cutting corners on the pre-purchase inspection is not advisable.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Volvo 240, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 5 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 5 known Volvo 240 issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.