Used car guide

1993 Volvo 240: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1993 Volvo 240s, from 210 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 210 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

210MOT tests in 2025
56%pass first time (all 1993 cars: 69%)
4,700typical miles a year
3.3×the usual rate for flexible brake hoses

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 1993 Volvo 240s than on all cars registered in 1993.

  • Flexible brake hoses3.3× usual
    Volvo 240
    15.7% All 1993 cars
    4.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 1% of all 1993 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£200 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.

By area

The share of 1993 Volvo 240 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    46% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    45% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Brakes
    35% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    25% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    23% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Tyres
    20% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
1992180Suspension 41%
1991115Suspension 34%
1990188Suspension 39%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1993 Volvo 240s registered in 1993. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score