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Volvo C30 reliability by build year

Coverage 2007-20121 named generationHatchbackPETROL / DIESEL
At a glance

Volvo C30 built around 2010: more dangerous faults than average

Testers find a dangerous fault on Volvo C30 models built around 2010 more often than on similar cars the same age. Look closely at the tyres on any car you view. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Check a Volvo C30 by number plate

Key figure

10% of MOT tests on Volvo C30 models built around 2010 found a fault the tester marked as dangerous, against 7% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Volvo C30 models built around 2010 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Volvo C30's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Independent inspection

High priority

Have an independent specialist inspect the car before you commit.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your C30's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

C30 Mk1

Mk1 (2007-2012)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROLDIESEL

28.4% fail rate, built around 2012 (13 years old)

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 27.7%)

From 4,080 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Pre

Older models (before 2005)

PETROLDIESEL
1,304 MOT tests across all agesNo separate page

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Volvo C30.

See every build year for the Volvo C30

By age

Volvo C30 fail rate by age

This chart combines every Volvo C30 ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
34725.4%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
2,57227.6%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
4,08028.4%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
4,92129.8%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
7,06130.4%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
5,14631.7%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
3,12532.5%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
1,54530.2%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 17 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 15-year-old Volvo C30 models

These issues come from 15-year-old Volvo C30 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    25.9%
    Advisory: 2,584Fail: 222 (8% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    22.1%
    Advisory: 1,888Fail: 549 (23% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Minor

    One of the number plate lights not working

    14.7%
    Advisory: 0Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    13.5%
    Advisory: 1,006Fail: 324 (24% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    11.2%
    Advisory: 808Fail: 10 (1% of the times it was found)

Based on 7,061 MOT tests on 15-year-old Volvo C30 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 15-year-old Volvo C30 models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Suspension + Tyres30%
  2. Brakes + Suspension27%
  3. Lighting + Suspension26%
  4. Lighting + Tyres26%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 4,061 MOT tests on Volvo C30 cars built around 2010 (15 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Volvo C30.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

18 recalls in all

1 of the 18 Volvo C30 recalls covers cars built in these years.

  • 1 recall

Top concerns

  • Loss of drive

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Toyota Prius

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    25.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.5%
    Dangerous
    5.8%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94.4%

    Lower fail rate: 25.6%, against 30.4% for the Volvo C30, both built around 2010.

    5 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    12,150 MOT tests on cars built around 2010

  2. 2

    Smart ForTwo

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    26.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    7.1%
    Dangerous
    5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    89.4%

    Lower fail rate: 26.4%, against 30.4% for the Volvo C30, both built around 2010.

    7,289 MOT tests on cars built around 2010

  3. 3

    Toyota Yaris

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    27.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.1%
    Dangerous
    5.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.4%

    Lower fail rate: 27.7%, against 30.4% for the Volvo C30, both built around 2010.

    10 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    28,880 MOT tests on cars built around 2010

  4. 4

    Toyota Auris

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    27.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.8%
    Dangerous
    5.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90.8%

    Lower fail rate: 27.9%, against 30.4% for the Volvo C30, both built around 2010.

    8 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    13,221 MOT tests on cars built around 2010

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2010 (15 years old), the Volvo C30 across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 7,061 15-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Volvo C30 ever sold: 28,797 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2010 (15 years old): 7,061 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.