Volvo C30: what fails at MOT
33,000 MOT tests on the Volvo C30 in 2024, counted. 39.7% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
39.7% of Volvo C30 tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 38.1%, so the C30 is about average for its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (12.6% of tests), suspension (10.6% of tests) and tyres (6.1% of tests).
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 1,549 | 29.9% | 30.6% | 82,100 63,200 to 103,400 |
| 2012 | 4,106 | 35.2% | 33.4% | 86,800 65,300 to 111,000 |
| 2011 | 4,830 | 38.2% | 36.1% | 102,100 78,500 to 125,400 |
| 2010 | 7,454 | 40.2% | 38.6% | 105,700 82,500 to 129,800 |
| 2009 | 7,387 | 41.1% | 39.8% | 104,600 80,500 to 130,500 |
| 2008 | 4,317 | 43.7% | 41.5% | 114,100 88,400 to 135,700 |
| 2007 | 2,942 | 42.5% | 41.5% | 110,200 83,700 to 135,400 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Volvo C30 tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | C30 | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 12.6% | 12.2% |
| Suspension | 10.6% | 10.4% |
| Tyres | 6.1% | 5.0% |
| Brakes | 6.0% | 6.8% |
| Body and structure | 4.5% | 4.0% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 3.8% | 4.1% |
| Exhaust and emissions Less than most | 2.5% | 3.4% |
| Steering | 2.2% | 2.2% |
The parts that fail most
- Side light4.7%
- Tyre4.4%
- Number plate light2.9%
- Suspension pins and bushes2.9%
- Driveshaft joint2.8%
- Headlamp aim2.8%
- Coil spring2.7%
- Headlamp2.5%
- Washers2.2%
- Tyre tread2.2%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Side light: not working4.6%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.8%
- Driveshaft joint: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.8%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken2.7%
- Number plate light: inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps2.5%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed2.1%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm2.1%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.7%
- Ball joint: excessively worn1.6%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.5%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge16.4%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement8.5%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened6.7%
- Brake pads: wearing thin5.6%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing5.5%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive4.0%
- Coil spring: corroded3.9%
- Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases2.6%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
Check a Volvo C30's own MOT record
Looking at a C30? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.