Family hatchback · 2001–2014 cars
Volvo C30 reliability
The Volvo C30 fails 40% of first MOT tests, 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 82,812 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Volvo C30 before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 40%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 3% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 82,812
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 8,000
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Volvo C30 ages
Each point is the share of Volvo C30s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Volvo C30 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | 25.4% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 32.5% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 34.2% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 36.7% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 39.4% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 41.1% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 42.4% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 42.9% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 43.8% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 44.2% | 43.4% |
By year
The best and worst Volvo C30 years
2013 cars come out best and 2011 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 C30 | 3,550 | 30.5% | 1% fewer fails | 75,943 |
| 2012 C30 | 10,096 | 34.2% | 3% more fails | 81,594 |
| 2011 C30 | 11,542 | 39.2% | 6% more fails | 96,129 |
| 2010 C30 | 18,499 | 40% | 2% more fails | 100,375 |
| 2009 C30 | 18,996 | 41.5% | 3% more fails | 100,550 |
| 2008 C30 | 11,544 | 44.7% | 5% more fails | 108,919 |
| 2007 C30 | 8,135 | 42.5% | 0% fewer fails | 105,857 |
| 2006 | 441 | 40.6% | 7% fewer fails | 109,295 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Volvo C30
Its weak spot is tyres: 24% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics18.4%5% above avg
- Suspension15.4%2% above avg
- Tyres9.2%24% above avg
- Brakes8.4%13% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure6.3%12% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.5%7% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.6%27% below avg
- Steering2.9%5% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags1%33% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Position lamp not working 5.69% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 2
Coil spring fractured or broken 3.95% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 3
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 3.72% of tests
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
- 4
CV joint boot split or insecure 3.45% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 5
Registration plate lamp not working 3.01% of tests
A dark number plate lamp makes the plate hard to read at night, which is illegal and must be fixed.
- 6
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.85% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 7
Tyre ply or cords exposed 2.78% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 8
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 2.13% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Volvo C30's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit18.47%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear10.74%
- Brake disc pitted or scored8.12%
- Brake pads wearing thin7.08%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking6.94%
- Coil spring showing some corrosion4.51%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Volvo C30
- 1
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 2
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 3
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
- 4
CV joint boot split or insecure
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Volvo C30 covers about 8,000 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Diesel59.9%
- Petrol40.1%
- LPG0%
Most common colours
White, Black, Silver, Grey, Red
Average engine size: 1.8 litres.
Compare
How the Volvo C30 compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lexus CT | 15.5% | 40% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Skoda Rapid | 23.9% | about average for its age |
| Volvo C30 | 40% | 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Alfa Romeo Giulietta | 30.4% | 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volvo S40 | 42.7% | 4% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Kia Soul | 28.5% | 5% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Nissan Pulsar | 23.9% | 18% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every family hatchback ranked in the family hatchback reliability index, or all Volvo models.
Questions
Volvo C30 questions, answered
Is the Volvo C30 reliable?
On MOT results, the Volvo C30 is about average: it fails 40% of first MOT tests, 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 29 of 65 family hatchback models in our index.
What fails most on a Volvo C30 MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Volvo C30 are position lamp not working (5.69% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (3.95% of tests), suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn (3.72% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 18.4% of its tests.
Which Volvo C30 year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2013 cars do best (about average for its age) and 2011 cars do worst (6% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Volvo C30 do a year?
A typical Volvo C30 covers about 8,000 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Volvo C30 before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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