1978 Volvo 245 MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for 245 models manufactured in 1978, based on 97 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
1978 Volvo 245 MOT Analysis
The 1978 Volvo 245 has an MOT pass rate of 51.5% based on 97 tests — below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 103,709 miles on the odometer. With a 48.5% failure rate, the 1978 245 is rated as "Poor" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1978 Volvo 245 is Suspension, responsible for 6.2% of failures. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. Typical repair costs range from £200–500. Tyres is the second most common issue at 4.1%. Visibility follows at 3.1%.
Top failures specific to 1978 models only. The overall 245 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 | Suspension | 6.2% | 6 |
| 2 | Tyres | 4.1% | 4 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.1% | 3 |
| 4 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 3.1% | 3 |
| 5 | Brakes | 2.1% | 2 |
| 6 | Noise, Emissions And Leaks | 2.1% | 2 |
| 7 | Non-component Advisories | 1.0% | 1 |
| 8 | Identification Of The Vehicle | 1.0% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 103,709 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.
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| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 0.60 | 6.2% | 6 |
| Tyres | 0.40 | 4.1% | 4 |
| Visibility | 0.30 | 3.1% | 3 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 0.30 | 3.1% | 3 |
| Brakes | 0.20 | 2.1% | 2 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.20 | 2.1% | 2 |
| Non-component advisories | 0.10 | 1.0% | 1 |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.10 | 1.0% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1978 Volvo 245 has an MOT pass rate of 51.5% based on 97 tests — below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 103,709 miles on the odometer. With a 48.5% failure rate, the 1978 245 is rated as "Poor" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1978 Volvo 245, be prepared for above-average maintenance costs. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to suspension: Look for uneven tyre wear, listen for clunking over bumps, and check if the car pulls to one side. A bouncy ride suggests worn shock absorbers. Visually inspect coil springs for cracks. With an average mileage of 103,709 miles, these vehicles are in the higher-mileage bracket where wear-related failures become more common.
Suspension — 6.2% of failures
Suspension issues account for 6.2% of MOT failures on 1978 Volvo 245 models. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. Typical repair costs: £200–500. Pre-MOT check: Look for uneven tyre wear, listen for clunking over bumps, and check if the car pulls to one side. A bouncy ride suggests worn shock absorbers. Visually inspect coil springs for cracks.
Tyres — 4.1% of failures
Tyres issues account for 4.1% of MOT failures on 1978 Volvo 245 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.
Visibility — 3.1% of failures
Visibility issues account for 3.1% of MOT failures on 1978 Volvo 245 models. Visibility failures relate to the windscreen, wipers, washers, mirrors, and view-obstructing damage. Cracks in the windscreen swept area, ineffective wipers, or empty washer bottles are common causes. Typical repair costs: £10–300. Pre-MOT check: Check the windscreen for chips and cracks — damage larger than 10mm in the driver's swept area or 40mm elsewhere will fail. Test washers and wipers. Ensure both door mirrors are intact and adjustable.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.