Used car guide

2007 Volvo C30: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2007 Volvo C30s, from 1,942 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,942MOT tests in 2025
56%pass first time (all 2007 cars: 57%)
6,000typical miles a year
2.4×the usual rate for number plate lights

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2007 Volvo C30s than on all cars registered in 2007.

  • Number plate lights2.4× usual
    Volvo C30
    20.7% All 2007 cars
    8.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.6%, against 2.3% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

  • Steering rack2.4× usual
    Volvo C30
    2.9% All 2007 cars
    1.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 0.6% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 2.1% here, against 11.2% of all 2007 cars.

By area

The share of 2007 Volvo C30 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    46% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    39% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    37% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Brakes
    31% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    13% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    10% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Looking at a Volvo C30?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2013961Tyres 35%
20122,799Suspension 38%
20112,983Suspension 40%
20104,594Suspension 42%
20094,646Suspension 43%
20082,638Suspension 46%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2007 Volvo C30s registered in 2007. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score