Volvo 240 - 1988
331.4 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 1988 is 253.5 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Volvo 240, model year 1988.
Sample size: 148 cars, 303 tests and 1,004 recorded faults.
0%
More faults compared to the average car of same model year
More faults compared to the average car of same model year
Quick summary
Total: 148 cars
The 1988 Volvo 240 has an overall defect rate of 331.35 per 100 vehicles, which is significantly higher than the average for cars of the same year, which stands at 248.7 per 100. This model particularly struggles with brake issues, showing a defect rate that is 32.8% higher than average, and is also notable for higher rates in categories such as steering, lights and electrics, and suspension. Over time, the defect rate increases with mileage, with the highest rates observed in vehicles exceeding 124,000 miles. While tyre wear is common, the Volvo 240’s standout issues largely affect its braking, steering, and electrical systems, indicating areas that may require closer attention for maintenance and safety.
Cars by mileage segment
Total: 148 cars
Categories
Brakes
▼ 30.4% worse
124.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 95.2 / 100 tests
- Flexible brake hose: excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
- Brake hose ferrules: excessively corroded
- Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
- Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
- Brake disc or drum: significantly and obviously worn
Steering
▼ 36.8% worse
38.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 28.0 / 100 tests
- Free play in the steering, measured at the rim of the steering wheel is: excessive
- A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
- A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
- Power steering fluid leaking or system malfunctioning
- Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: damaged or deteriorated
Visibility
▼ 17.3% worse
25.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 21.4 / 100 tests
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
- Wiper blade: defective
- Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
- Obligatory mirror or device: slightly damaged or loose
- Wiper not operating or missing
Lights & Electrics
▼ 47.7% worse
95.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 64.3 / 100 tests
- Headlamp reflector or lens: slightly defective
- Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
- A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative: when rear registration plate has 2 or more lamps or light sources
- A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative: when rear registration plate has only one lamp or all lamps not working
Wheels & Suspension
▼ 43.7% worse
231.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 161.2 / 100 tests
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
- A wheel bearing: with excessive play
- A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
- A suspension component: excessively damaged or corroded
Body/Structure
▲ 0.9% better
63.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 64.0 / 100 tests
- Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
- Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
- Body, cab or chassis: excessively corroded at mounting points
- Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
- Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
Equipment
▼ 74.6% worse
32.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 18.5 / 100 tests
- is significantly reduced or The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a ’prescribed area’): inadequately repaired
- A seat belt: webbing or flexible stalk significantly stretched or weakened
- Seat belt not functioning as intended or of an incorrect type
- is significantly reduced or The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a ’prescribed area’): inadequately repaired
- A seat belt: or flexible stalk damaged
Other
▲ 2.8% better
52.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 54.3 / 100 tests
- Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
- Exhaust noise levels in excess of those permitted
- An induction or exhaust leak that could affect emissions levels
- Emissions levels exceed default limits
- Emissions test unable to be completed
Fault rate by mileage segment
Model
Year average
* Metric: faults per 100 tests.
Most common faults (Top 10)
Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 57
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 54
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 52
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 47
Flexible brake hose: excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 45
Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 44
A suspension component: excessively damaged or corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 37
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 32
A wheel bearing: with excessive play
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 31
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
FAIL
Occurrences: 28
Serious faults (Top 10)
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
FAIL
Occurrences: 28
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 17
is significantly reduced or The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a ’prescribed area’): inadequately repaired
FAIL
Occurrences: 12
Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 12
Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
FAIL
Occurrences: 11
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 11
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
FAIL
Occurrences: 11
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative: when rear registration plate has only one lamp or all lamps not working
FAIL
Occurrences: 9
Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
FAIL
Occurrences: 8
Emissions levels exceed default limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 7