2009 · 15 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2009 Volvo C30 MOT pass rate and common faults

5,045 MOT tests in 2024. 57.3% passed first time, compared with 58.4% for all cars the same age.

98About average
Passed first time57.3%
Failed or needed repairs42.7%
Typical mileage at test104,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 5,045 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken5.2%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn4.6%
  3. Position lamp: not working4.3%
  4. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed3.7%
    271 marked dangerous
  5. Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps3.3%
  6. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.2%
    251 marked dangerous
  7. Steering rack: gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.9%
  8. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.8%
    182 marked dangerous
  9. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.7%
  10. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn2.5%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics27.8%
  2. Suspension23.0%
  3. Brakes12.8%
  4. Tyres11.4%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.8%
  6. Body & chassis6.0%
  7. Emissions & leaks5.6%
  8. Steering5.5%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm23.2%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn12.8%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened9.8%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure9.6%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick8.8%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year is about as good as an average car its age. Before buying, check the area that fails most: coil spring: fractured or broken. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2009 Volvo C30?

In 2024, 57.3% of 2009 Volvo C30 cars passed their MOT first time, across 5,045 tests. The average for all 15-year-old cars was 58.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2009 Volvo C30?

The most common failure reasons were coil spring: fractured or broken; suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn; position lamp: not working. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2009 Volvo C30 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 98, which is about average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).