2008 Volvo C30: common problems and what to check
What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Volvo C30s, from 2,638 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
What stands out
Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Volvo C30s than on all cars registered in 2008.
- Number plate lights2.6× usualVolvo C3023.2% All 2008 cars8.9%
Failed outright at MOT: 5.6%, against 2.3% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £5–£40 our estimateAt the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.
- Individual direction indicators1.8× usualVolvo C305.6% All 2008 cars3.1%
Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 1.3% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £10–£80 our estimateAt the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.
- Side repeaters2.5× usualVolvo C303.7% All 2008 cars1.5%
Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 0.9% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £10–£80 our estimateAt the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Steering rack2.7× usualVolvo C303% All 2008 cars1.1%
Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 0.6% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £100–£450 our estimateAt the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.
- Transmission oil leaks2× usualVolvo C302.8% All 2008 cars1.4%
Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £80–£600 our estimateAt the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.
Rigid brake pipes: 1.8% here, against 9.6% of all 2008 cars. Brake lights: 0.9% here, against 5.8% of all 2008 cars.
By area
The share of 2008 Volvo C30 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Suspension46% 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 electrics42% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Tyres39% 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.
- Brakes33% 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 emissions16% 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.
- Oil and fluid leaks13% of testsRough price £80–£600
At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.
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Other years
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 961 | Tyres 35% |
| 2012 | 2,799 | Suspension 38% |
| 2011 | 2,983 | Suspension 40% |
| 2010 | 4,594 | Suspension 42% |
| 2009 | 4,646 | Suspension 43% |
| 2007 | 1,942 | Suspension 46% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 Volvo C30s registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score