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1989 Volvo 240 Glt MOT Pass Rate

Pass rate for 240 Glt models manufactured in 1989, based on 38 real MOT test results.

63.2%
Pass Rate
36.8%
Fail Rate
38
Total Tests
143,536
Avg Mileage

Data from official DVSA MOT testing records

1989 Volvo 240 Glt MOT Analysis

The 1989 Volvo 240 Glt has an MOT pass rate of 63.2% based on 38 tests — around the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 143,536 miles on the odometer. With a 36.8% failure rate, the 1989 240 Glt is rated as "Average" for MOT reliability.

The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1989 Volvo 240 Glt is Brakes, responsible for 13.2% of failures. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. Typical repair costs range from £150–400. Tyres is the second most common issue at 10.5%. Body, chassis, structure follows at 2.6%.

⚠ Based on limited data (38 tests)

Top failures specific to 1989 models only. The overall 240 Glt page may show different rankings.

What Fails Most

What Fails on This Car?

Click a category to see specific failure items.

View as table
MOT failure categories ranked by failure rate
RankFailure CategoryRate (%)Count
1Brakes13.2%5
2Tyres10.5%4
3Body, Chassis, Structure2.6%1
4Steering2.6%1
5Suspension2.6%1

Failures per 10,000 Miles

avg. 143,536 mi

For every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.

Brakes0.92% per 10K miTyres0.73% per 10K miBody & Structure0.18% per 10K miSteering0.18% per 10K miSuspension0.18% per 10K mi
View as table
Mileage-normalised failure rates by category
CategoryRate / 10K miRaw %Count
Brakes0.9213.2%5
Tyres0.7310.5%4
Body & Structure0.182.6%1
Steering0.182.6%1
Suspension0.182.6%1

Mileage Statistics

143,536
Mean
130,194
Median
121,347
25th Percentile
172,467
75th Percentile
2.56% failures per 10K miles

Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.

About This Data

The 1989 Volvo 240 Glt has an MOT pass rate of 63.2% based on 38 tests — around the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 143,536 miles on the odometer. With a 36.8% failure rate, the 1989 240 Glt is rated as "Average" for MOT reliability.

If you own or are considering buying a 1989 Volvo 240 Glt, budget for potential repairs before each MOT. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to brakes: Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Check brake pedal feel — if it feels spongy or goes to the floor, have the system inspected immediately. Look at brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes (minimum 3mm). With an average mileage of 143,536 miles, these vehicles are in the higher-mileage bracket where wear-related failures become more common.

Brakes — 13.2% of failures

Brakes issues account for 13.2% of MOT failures on 1989 Volvo 240 Glt models. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. Typical repair costs: £150–400. Pre-MOT check: Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Check brake pedal feel — if it feels spongy or goes to the floor, have the system inspected immediately. Look at brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes (minimum 3mm).

Tyres — 10.5% of failures

Tyres issues account for 10.5% of MOT failures on 1989 Volvo 240 Glt models. Tyre failures include tread depth below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, and incorrect tyre pressure. Tyres are one of the most common and easiest-to-prevent MOT failures. Typical repair costs: £50–200 per tyre. Pre-MOT check: Check tread depth with a 20p coin — if the outer band is visible, the tyre is too worn. Look for bulges, cuts, or embedded objects. Ensure all tyres match the recommended size and load rating.

Body, chassis, structure — 2.6% of failures

Body, chassis, structure issues account for 2.6% of MOT failures on 1989 Volvo 240 Glt models. Body and structure failures include excessive corrosion, sharp edges, loose panels, and damage to the vehicle frame. Rust is the primary concern, especially on older vehicles or those exposed to road salt. Typical repair costs: £100–500+. Pre-MOT check: Inspect sills, wheel arches, door bottoms, and the chassis for rust. Surface rust is acceptable but structural corrosion or holes will fail. Check that all doors, bonnet, and boot close securely.

Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.

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