At a Glance
The Volvo C30 has 17 identified common problems across 1 generation, with the Mk1 (2006-2013) being the most affected generation and tyres & wheels the most common problem category. Based on 355K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Volvo C30 common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Volvo C30 generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Volvo C30 Generations
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Most Common Volvo C30 MOT Failures
Every reason Volvo C30 vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 11.26% |
| 2 | Tyre condition | 11.04% |
| 3 | Number plate lamp not working | 10.33% |
| 4 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 8.76% |
| 5 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 5.97% |
| 6 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 4.13% |
| 7 | Position lamp not working | 3.87% |
| 8 | Brake pads or linings worn | 3.84% |
| 9 | Front lamp not working | 3.59% |
| 10 | Driveshaft fault | 3.48% |
| 11 | Headlamp fault | 3.35% |
| 12 | Windscreen washer not working | 3.13% |
| 13 | Brake performance below minimum | 2.92% |
| 14 | Headlamp aim defect | 2.56% |
| 15 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 1.69% |
| 16 | Indicator fault | 1.64% |
| 17 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 1.34% |
| 18 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 1.28% |
| 19 | Exhaust system fault | 1.22% |
| 20 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 1.21% |
| 21 | Ball joint dust cover split | 1.10% |
| 22 | Brake disc or drum worn | 0.99% |
| 23 | Airbag warning light on | 0.78% |
| 24 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.70% |
| 25 | Track rod end worn | 0.61% |
| 26 | Stop lamp not working | 0.60% |
| 27 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.53% |
| 28 | Horn not working | 0.50% |
| 29 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.45% |
| 30 | Steering rack fault | 0.44% |
| 31 | Parking brake condition | 0.38% |
| 32 | Brake lever fault | 0.35% |
| 33 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.34% |
| 34 | ABS fault | 0.28% |
| 35 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.25% |
| 36 | Seat belt condition | 0.24% |
| 37 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.24% |
| 38 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.24% |
| 39 | Front suspension fault | 0.23% |
| 40 | Brake pedal fault | 0.22% |
| 41 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.21% |
| 42 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.21% |
| 43 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.21% |
| 44 | Brake caliper fault | 0.20% |
| 45 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.19% |
| 46 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.19% |
| 47 | Outline marker lamp not working | 0.11% |
| 48 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.11% |
| 49 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.11% |
| 50 | Rear lamp not working | 0.11% |
| 51 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.11% |
| 52 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 0.10% |
| 53 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.10% |
| 54 | Propshaft fault | 0.09% |
| 55 | Engine oil leak | 0.09% |
| 56 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 0.08% |
| 57 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.08% |
| 58 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.08% |
| 59 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.08% |
| 60 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.08% |
| 61 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.08% |
| 62 | Brake fluid leak | 0.08% |
| 63 | Headlamp washer not working | 0.07% |
| 64 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.07% |
| 65 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.07% |
| 66 | Fog lamp not working | 0.07% |
| 67 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.06% |
| 68 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.04% |
| 69 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.04% |
| 70 | Electrical switch fault | 0.04% |
| 71 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | 0.04% |
| 72 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.04% |
| 73 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.04% |
| 74 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | 0.03% |
| 75 | Rear suspension fault | 0.03% |
| 76 | Driver airbag fault | 0.03% |
| 77 | Steering lock fault | 0.03% |
| 78 | Front passenger door fault | 0.03% |
| 79 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.02% |
| 80 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.02% |
| 81 | Exhaust leak | 0.02% |
| 82 | Driver seat fault | 0.02% |
| 83 | Transmission oil leak | 0.02% |
| 84 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | 0.02% |
| 85 | Passenger seat fault | 0.02% |
| 86 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.02% |
| 87 | Drag link end worn | 0.02% |
| 88 | Hydraulic fluid leak | 0.02% |
| 89 | Power steering ram fault | 0.02% |
| 90 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.01% |
| 91 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.01% |
| 92 | Power steering pump fault | 0.01% |
| 93 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.01% |
| 94 | Driver door fault | 0.01% |
| 95 | Handbrake cable fault | <0.01% |
| 96 | Steering arm worn | <0.01% |
| 97 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 98 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 99 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | <0.01% |
| 100 | King pin or swivel pin worn | <0.01% |
| 101 | Body security fault | <0.01% |
| 102 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 103 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 104 | Steering free play excessive | <0.01% |
| 105 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 106 | Brake fluid warning light on | <0.01% |
| 107 | Steering operation fault | <0.01% |
| 108 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 109 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 110 | Chassis condition | <0.01% |
| 111 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | <0.01% |
| 112 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 113 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 114 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 115 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 116 | Suspension unit fault | <0.01% |
| 117 | Vehicle structure corrosion | <0.01% |
| 118 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 119 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 120 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 121 | Steering column fault | <0.01% |
| 122 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 123 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 124 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 125 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 127 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 130 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 132 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | <0.01% |
| 134 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 135 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 138 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | <0.01% |
| 139 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 141 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 143 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 144 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 148 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 149 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 150 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | <0.01% |
| 151 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 152 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 153 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 154 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 156 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 158 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
Showing all 158 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Volvo C30 MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Volvo C30, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Volvo C30 problems?
Based on analysis of 355K Volvo C30 MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 17 identified common problems across 1 generation. The most frequently flagged issue is "Number plate lamp not working". Tyres & Wheels is the most common problem category.
Which Volvo C30 generation has the most problems?
The Volvo C30 Mk1 (2006-2013) (2006–2013) has the highest number of identified common problems (17). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Volvo C30?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Volvo C30 owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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