In the middle of 1970 it became clear that the current generation of automobiles Moskvich was outmoding rapidly. It was planned at the factory to introduce into market perspective developments of series 3-5 in the mid-70ies, but due to the financial problems the plan failed. The uncertainty with the plans on commercial production of the series C models existed as well. Being under the pressure from the government, the leadership of the factory initiated a forced step: performing in-depth overhaul of the 408/412 family. In the wake of upgrading the М-408 gained index 2138. The model was produced from 1976 till 1988. Except sedan there were versions of a station wagon and a van on the assembly units of М-2138. It is worth noting that because of the outdate body and poor quality of the assembly the attractiveness of the model dropped significantly.

The Moskvich-2138 made use of a retrofit body of the previous 408/412 family. Upon the whole the design of the car stayed the same. The model differed from the antecedent with the body and interior finishing. New elements of the passive safety, a renewed steering wheel, a dash-board and new lamp-clusters appeared. In 1975 interim automobile models with the body and the dash-board of the 2138/2140 and the door handles of the Moskvich-408/412 were produced. Besides, an old steering wheel was installed on these cars.

The engine from the М-408 of 50 hp was mounted on the Moskvich-2138, which according to the measures of that time did not give any necessary dynamic characteristics.