2011 · 13 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2011 Volvo C30 MOT pass rate and common faults

3,173 MOT tests in 2024. 59.3% passed first time, compared with 61.8% for all cars the same age.

96Below average
Passed first time59.3%
Failed or needed repairs40.7%
Typical mileage at test101,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 3,173 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Position lamp: not working8.4%
  2. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt7.4%
  3. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn4.4%
  4. Coil spring: fractured or broken3.2%
  5. Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps3.1%
  6. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed3.0%
    149 marked dangerous
  7. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.0%
    156 marked dangerous
  8. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.3%
    99 marked dangerous
  9. Individual direction indicators: incorrect colour2.1%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics27.1%
  2. Suspension16.6%
  3. Brakes13.3%
  4. Tyres10.0%
  5. Body & chassis9.5%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.5%
  7. Emissions & leaks2.7%
  8. Steering1.9%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm22.6%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn12.7%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened10.0%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick7.5%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure7.5%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: position lamp: not working. 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 2011 Volvo C30?

In 2024, 59.3% of 2011 Volvo C30 cars passed their MOT first time, across 3,173 tests. The average for all 13-year-old cars was 61.8%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2011 Volvo C30?

The most common failure reasons were position lamp: not working; joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2011 Volvo C30 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 96, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).