Stumbled across the website so thought I'd join. Have owned a Volvo 340 1.7 for approx 12 years, bought 3 years old from HyltonGott in Norfolk with approx 32000 miles. It now has 218000 miles on the clock, original engine, I've replaced the carb once at about 100000, and had to service the replacement a few times since, the alternator is from a Peugot 405? can't remember but it's been fine for the last 3 years, otherwise car is original. Tomorrow is a big day as the car is due it's Irish National Car Test, guess I'll find out if I'm to continue as a 340 owner! I'm hopeful, did two 5 hour journeys a fortnight ago without a bother, and no stiffness on exiting car which has always amazed me as every other car I've been in would give me severe back or buttock pain!

218k? is that a new record on here?

did it survive the mot?

Hello and thanks for the reply. The car was tested Wednesday and passed it's test which gives it a road worthyness certificate for the next two years. Apart from replacing a few bulbs all else was deemed OK. The NCT gives a document that provides information on all aspects of the car including emmisions and is a far more rigorous test than the English MOT.

I had read on a topic that the 1.7 engine was supposed to be unreliable, but I have not found that to be true, the carburettor is a pain but the engine has never been touched. I was offered a conversion from a Solex to a Weber 100k ago but I didn't really think I'd still be driving the car after all this time so I turned it down. As I've come so far in it the ambition has to be to get to the 1/4 million mark.

That's a good news! It means that a Volvo 340 will be on the road the next 2 years!

I thought the MOT was already very rigorous, what are the complementary tests in Ireland?

The NCT was introduced in Ireland about 4 years ago, at the time the government announced that the new test would be far harder to pass than the English MOT, this resulted in a lot of old cars being scrapped as people got rid of their old bangers for fear of failing the test, great boost to the economy! My 340 has now passed 3 times with minimal work, I would have included a copy of the test results but can't figure how to included an image in the reply! I'm not that great with the computer! Maybe someone could included step by step instructions!

KeithB wrote:I would have included a copy of the test results but can't figure how to included an image in the reply! I'm not that great with the computer! Maybe someone could included step by step instructions!

Oh I would like to see that!!! It's a very basic test here in Belgium... You can send that to me (email below) and I will post the pictures here.

Here are the results! (click on it for the full size) [Thanks to you Keith!]




For a car with 218000 m, it's very good!

0% imbalance for the rear suspension? It's the first time I see that!

We have exactly all the same tests here but we don't get a detailled copy ith the scores like this. I always try to read the results on the computer screens. The bodywork is also checked (under the car) for rust problems (very severe here!)