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Volvo C30 Mk1 (2007-2012) reliability

At a glance

Volvo C30 Mk1 built around 2012: about average at the MOT

Volvo C30 Mk1 models built around 2012 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Looking at a Volvo C30 Mk1?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

28% of MOT tests on Volvo C30 Mk1 models built around 2012 ended in a fail (retests included), against 27% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Volvo C30 Mk1 models built around 2012 involves the tyres.

Volvo C30 Mk1
No reliability rating: too close to call between ratings2007-2012HatchbackDIESEL / PETROL

Based on 27,372 tests of C30 models registered 2007-2012.

About 1 in 15 C30 Mk1 MOTs (6.4%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2012 (13 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 4,080 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 15 C30 Mk1 MOTs (7.2%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2012 (13 years old).

Based on 4,080 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

Mk1 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
1,61527.7%
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
1,42430.2%

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.

How the C30 Mk1 compares

At each age below, see how the C30 Mk1 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 34,941 tests across 12 Volvo models, built around 2012 (13 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateVolvo average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
1,61527.7%
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
1,42430.2%

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.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

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 springs

Worth checking

Check ride height is even side-to-side and look for cracked or rusted coils.

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.

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the C30 Mk1.

  1. 1

    Lexus CT

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    18.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.5%
    Dangerous
    4.8%
    Still registered at 10 years
    88.2%

    Lower fail rate: 18.2%, against 28.4% for the Volvo C30 Mk1, both built around 2012.

    5,401 MOT tests on cars built around 2012

  2. 2

    Honda Fit

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    17.1%

    Lower fail rate: 17.1%, against 28.4% for the Volvo C30 Mk1, both built around 2012.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    1,522 MOT tests on cars built around 2012

  3. 3

    Mini

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    23.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.6%

    Lower fail rate: 23.9%, against 28.4% for the Volvo C30 Mk1, both built around 2012.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    35,820 MOT tests on cars built around 2012

  4. 4

    Audi A7

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    17.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5%
    Dangerous
    6.7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    84.3%

    Lower fail rate: 17.5%, against 28.4% for the Volvo C30 Mk1, both built around 2012.

    1,743 MOT tests on cars built around 2012

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.

Recall context

18 recalls in all

1 of the 18 C30 Mk1 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.

How C30 Mk1 cars have aged

How C30 Mk1 cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%30%911131517Age at MOTBuilt around 2012, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 25.9% (2,505 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2012, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 24.6% (2,390 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2012, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 26.1% (2,372 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2012, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 27.3% (2,318 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2012, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 28.1% (2,237 tests, 2025 data)2012Built around 2011, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 27.9% (2,731 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2011, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 29.2% (2,643 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2011, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 28.8% (2,581 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2011, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 29.6% (2,530 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2011, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 29.5% (2,308 tests, 2025 data)2011Built around 2010, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 29.2% (5,049 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2010, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 28.6% (4,727 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2010, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 29.9% (4,580 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2010, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 30.4% (4,197 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2010, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 30.2% (3,788 tests, 2025 data)2010Built around 2009, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 29.5% (4,695 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2009, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 28.9% (4,305 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2009, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 31.3% (4,078 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2009, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 30.4% (3,586 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2009, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 31.0% (3,213 tests, 2025 data)2009Built around 2008, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 31.7% (2,963 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2008, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 31.2% (2,702 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2008, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 32.2% (2,518 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2008, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 32.7% (2,181 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2008, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 32.1% (1,838 tests, 2025 data)2008Built around 2007, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 29.6% (2,288 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2007, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 28.9% (2,020 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2007, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 30.2% (1,862 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2007, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 31.2% (1,669 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2007, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 30.2% (1,424 tests, 2025 data)2007
First registered around 2012First registered around 2011First registered around 2010First registered around 2009
Mk1 variants compared

C30 Mk1 variants built around 2012

The fail rate for each C30 Mk1 variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Diesel

  • C3029.7%2,626 tests

Petrol

  • C3026.0%1,454 tests
All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on Volvo C30 models of this age

This list covers every Volvo C30 built around 2012, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk1 on its own.

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

    24.8%
    Advisory: 1,470Fail: 112 (7% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

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

    23.6%
    Advisory: 1,203Fail: 296 (20% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Minor

    One of the number plate lights not working

    13.2%
    Advisory: 0Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    11.1%
    Advisory: 459Fail: 150 (25% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    9.7%
    Advisory: 585Fail: 5 (1% of the times it was found)

Based on 4,080 tests

Looking at a Volvo C30 Mk1?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2012 (13 years old), the Volvo C30 Mk1 (2007-2012) fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 4,080 13-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 27,372 MOT tests on Volvo C30 models first registered between 2007-2012. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.