2012 · 12 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2012 Volvo C30 MOT pass rate and common faults

2,907 MOT tests in 2024. 63.6% passed first time, compared with 64.3% for all cars the same age.

99About average
Passed first time63.6%
Failed or needed repairs36.4%
Typical mileage at test87,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 2,907 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Position lamp: not working6.8%
  2. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt5.1%
  3. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn4.0%
  4. Coil spring: fractured or broken3.2%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.6%
    120 marked dangerous
  6. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.5%
    103 marked dangerous
  7. Individual direction indicators: incorrect colour2.1%
  8. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.1%
    80 marked dangerous
  9. Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps1.8%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics21.4%
  2. Suspension13.8%
  3. Brakes12.0%
  4. Tyres9.2%
  5. Body & chassis7.2%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.7%
  7. Emissions & leaks2.5%
  8. Steering1.0%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm21.1%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn13.4%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened8.5%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick8.3%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure7.6%

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: 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.

← 2011 C30All C30 years2013 C30 →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2012 Volvo C30?

In 2024, 63.6% of 2012 Volvo C30 cars passed their MOT first time, across 2,907 tests. The average for all 12-year-old cars was 64.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2012 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 2012 Volvo C30 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 99, which is about average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).