I grabbed a starter motor out of a 28-year old B230 at the pick and pull (no younger cars!) and it only needed new brushes but an auto-electrician who put brushes in and checked out the motor said the overrunning clutch can't be checked and can fail without any warning - leaving me stranded. He wanted to install new overrunning clutch but it is not available.

Unfortunately, as I later found out to my regret, many Volvos (200s, 700s, 900s) did not have Bosch motors (whose parts are easy to get) but had Hitachi starter motors Model S114-232A for which a replacement overruning clutch (Part 2114-95007) is not available in Australia.
Maybe I could get one from America if they are a critical part that fails suddenly without warning.

Anyone have one of these fail? What happened?

If you are going pull a starter how do you make sure it is a Bosch when it is covered with oily grime and the only Bosch identification - the 10 digit part number - faces the block so can't be seen?

P.S. Hitachi has a sealed solenoid whereas Bosch can be opened up easy for inspection - moreover, even the plastic end of the Bosch solenoid with its high ampere contacts is available as a spare part!

A regretful "sutherml" in Adelaide, South Australia