73 AUTO

MOT performance

Volvo C30 MOT pass rate and common failures

Across 47,168 MOT tests of the Volvo C30 in 2023–2024, 58.8% passed first time. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, Volvo C30s failed about as often as comparable cars. The most common failure item was “position lamp: not working”, on 6.69% of tests.

47,168 MOT tests on 24,404 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto

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At a glance

Volvo C30 MOT results at a glance
FigureValueBasis
First-time pass rate58.8%±0.4 pts (95%), n = 47,168
Failures vs similar cars1.03×same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00
Tests with a dangerous defect12.7%n = 47,168
Average age at test13.2 yearsn = 47,168
Median mileage at test99,456 milesn = 47,168
Vehicles tested24,4042023–2024

Where Volvo C30s fail

The share of MOT tests that failed on each area, and how that compares with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel. Areas where the difference is large and clear link to their own page.

Volvo C30 MOT failures by area
AreaTests failed on itvs similar cars
Lights, reflectors and electrical18.9%+5%
Suspension16.0%+1%
Tyres9.4%+24%
Brakes8.9%-12%
Body, chassis and structure6.7%+14%
Driver's view of the road5.9%-2%
Noise, emissions and leaks3.7%-25%
Steering3.1%-6%
Seat belts and airbags1.0%-35%
Road wheels0.6%-1%
Registration plates and VIN0.4%-9%
Speedometer and driving controls0.0%+167%

Volvo C30 MOT pass rate by fuel: diesel vs petrol

Raw pass rates partly reflect how old each fuel's cars are; the adjusted column compares each with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel. Fuels that differ materially from the model as a whole have their own page.

Volvo C30 MOT results by fuel
FuelTestsAverage ageFirst-time passvs similar cars
Diesel27,71813 yrs57.9%+7%
Petrol19,45013.5 yrs60.2%-3%

Most common failure items

Most common Volvo C30 MOT failure items
ItemAreaShare of tests
Position lamp: not workingLights, reflectors and electrical6.69%
Coil spring: fractured or brokenSuspension4.58%
Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively wornSuspension4.17%
Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirtBody, chassis and structure4.15%
Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lampsLights, reflectors and electrical3.64%
Condition: has ply or cords exposedTyres3.29%
Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mmTyres3.22%
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thickBrakes2.53%
Headlamp: not working on dipped beamLights, reflectors and electrical2.37%
Individual direction indicators: incorrect colourLights, reflectors and electrical2.13%

Most common advisories

Advisories are items the tester expects to need attention soon; they don't fail the test.

Most common Volvo C30 MOT advisories
ItemAreaShare of tests
Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mmTyres21.58%
Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively wornSuspension12.39%
Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakenedBrakes9.85%
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thickBrakes8.24%
Condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structureTyres8.18%

Pass rate by age

Volvo C30 MOT pass rate by age at test
Age at test (years)TestsFirst-time pass rateFailures vs similar cars
9-103,05768.4%-2%
11-1212,60461.9%+4%
13-1526,64956.9%+3%
16+4,85855.6%+1%

Pass rate by registration year

Volvo C30 MOT pass rate by registration year
RegisteredTestsFirst-time pass rateFailures vs similar cars
20131,97767.9%0.99×
20125,90865.0%1.00×
20116,54160.0%1.06×
201010,46758.5%1.04×
200910,78057.2%1.03×
20086,56554.5%1.03×
20074,68556.5%1.00×

Years with fewer tests are shown for completeness; only years with enough tests have their own page.

Check a specific Volvo C30

Enter a UK registration to see that car's own MOT history and what it is likely to cost to own. Your first check is free and shows the vehicle summary and its headline ownership cost. The category-by-category breakdown is part of a paid check.

UK number plate or 17-character VIN

About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.