1986 Volvo 240 MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for 240 models manufactured in 1986, based on 1,539 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
This page shows all 240 cars tested in 1986. Want to see how cars built in 1986 hold up over time?
View 1986 Volvo 240 vintage page → (56.4% current pass rate)1986 Volvo 240 MOT Analysis
The 1986 Volvo 240 has an MOT pass rate of 52.1% based on 1,539 tests — below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 124,260 miles on the odometer. With a 47.9% failure rate, the 1986 240 is rated as "Poor" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1986 Volvo 240 is Tyres, responsible for 2.1% of failures. 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 range from £50–200 per tyre. Steering is the second most common issue at 0.8%. Brakes follows at 0.8%.
Top failures specific to 1986 models only. The overall 240 page may show different rankings.
What Fails Most
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 2.1% | 33 |
| 2 | Steering | 0.8% | 13 |
| 3 | Brakes | 0.8% | 12 |
| 4 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 0.8% | 12 |
| 5 | Body, Chassis, Structure | 0.6% | 10 |
| 6 | Seat Belts And Supplementary Restraint Systems | 0.6% | 10 |
| 7 | Suspension | 0.6% | 10 |
| 8 | Noise, Emissions And Leaks | 0.3% | 4 |
| 9 | Identification Of The Vehicle | 0.1% | 2 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 124,260 miFor 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.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 0.17 | 2.1% | 33 |
| Steering | 0.07 | 0.8% | 13 |
| Brakes | 0.06 | 0.8% | 12 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 0.06 | 0.8% | 12 |
| Body & Structure | 0.05 | 0.6% | 10 |
| Seat Belts | 0.05 | 0.6% | 10 |
| Suspension | 0.05 | 0.6% | 10 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.02 | 0.3% | 4 |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.01 | 0.1% | 2 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1986 Volvo 240 has an MOT pass rate of 52.1% based on 1,539 tests — below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 124,260 miles on the odometer. With a 47.9% failure rate, the 1986 240 is rated as "Poor" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1986 Volvo 240, be prepared for above-average maintenance costs. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to tyres: 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. With an average mileage of 124,260 miles, these vehicles are in the higher-mileage bracket where wear-related failures become more common.
Tyres — 2.1% of failures
Tyres issues account for 2.1% of MOT failures on 1986 Volvo 240 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.
Steering — 0.8% of failures
Steering issues account for 0.8% of MOT failures on 1986 Volvo 240 models. Steering failures include excessive play in the steering wheel, leaking power steering fluid, worn track rod ends, and damaged steering rack. These affect vehicle control and are closely related to suspension wear. Typical repair costs: £150–600. Pre-MOT check: Check for excessive steering wheel play (more than a few inches of free movement). Listen for whining from the power steering pump. Look for fluid leaks under the car near the front wheels.
Brakes — 0.8% of failures
Brakes issues account for 0.8% of MOT failures on 1986 Volvo 240 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).
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.