The boxy, beloved classic that genuinely built Volvo's reputation for indestructibility — one of the most confidently recommendable engines covered anywhere on this entire site, now a genuine enthusiast classic.
The 240's simple, boxy body was genuinely engineered around this over-built engine, and the pairing remains a benchmark for straightforward, honest durability — a large part of why this car has become a genuine enthusiast classic rather than simply an old used car.
Values for genuinely clean, well-documented examples have risen steadily as enthusiasts increasingly recognise this generation's engineering significance and distinctive, boxy charm.
This is about the car itself — for engine-specific failure points, see the dedicated engine page below.
This 240 is a defining application of the legendary Red Block engine. Full detail on this engine's exceptional reliability reputation lives on the dedicated engine page.
FULL ENGINE BREAKDOWNVolvo Red Block (240/740/940) — Reliable or Not →Inspect rubber seals, wiring and cooling hoses closely for age-related deterioration, now a bigger factor than the engine's own internals.
Check for rust in common problem areas (sills, wheel arches, floor pans), a genuine concern at this age regardless of the car's otherwise strong reputation.
On a car this significant to enthusiasts, consider a pre-purchase inspection by a specialist familiar specifically with this generation.