Used car guide · 2006–2013

Volvo C30 common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Volvo C30, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 20,563 MOTs done during 2025), and what to check before you buy one.

20,563MOTs done in 2025, all years of this model
21,219on the UK register
3known faults across all years
2010best year at its MOT

Pick the year

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

20132012201120102009200820072006

What usually goes wrong with a Volvo C30?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Brake, steering and cooling recalls

    Cars registered 2007–2013 · All engines

    There were several recalls, covering brakes, steering and engine cooling.

    At the viewing: Run the free DVSA recall check on the reg.

    Source: What Car?: Volvo C30 (2007-2013) reliability

  • Stability control failure

    Cars registered 2007–2013 · All engines

    Older cars can suffer a stability control failure that is expensive to fix.

    At the viewing: Make sure no stability control or ABS warning lights show.

    Source: What Car?: Volvo C30 (2007-2013) reliability

  • Rattling trim and air con

    Cars registered 2007–2013 · All engines

    Listen for rattling trim, and check the ventilation and air con work properly.

    At the viewing: Listen for rattles on rough roads and test the air con.

    Source: What Car?: Volvo C30 (2007-2013) reliability

Common Volvo C30 MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2025.

  • Number plate lights

    up to 2.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

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

  • Individual direction indicators

    up to 4.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Steering rack

    up to 3.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.

    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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints

    up to 2.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2011, 2012 and 2013.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Anti-roll bar links

    up to 10.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2009 and 2010.

    Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints

    up to 2.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2012 and 2013.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Volvo C30 MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2010 Volvo C30 did best (59% passed first time, 0 points above all 2010 cars) and the 2008 did worst (54%, 3 points below all 2008 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
201364%66% -2961
201262%63% -12,799
201160%61% -12,983
201059%59% +04,594
200957%58% -14,646
200854%57% -32,638
200756%57% -11,942

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Volvo C30

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Has all the recall work been done?
  2. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the Volvo C30 as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the individual direction indicators? (Flagged at MOT 4.2× as often on the Volvo C30 as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the steering rack? (Flagged at MOT 3.7× as often on the Volvo C30 as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Volvo C30?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score