2007 Volvo C30 — MOT failures & pass rate
16,253 MOT tests on the 2007 Volvo C30 are in this dataset, and 72.5% of them passed. Small family cars of a similar age fail at 27.0%, so the 2007 C30 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (14.1%) and lighting & signalling (13.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, pins and bushes and headlamp aim — coil spring alone was recorded 902 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 13.8% in the 0-30k band and 31.6% in the 150k+ band, a 17.8-point spread — more than double.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.4pp more often than petrol ones (29.0% vs 26.6%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 30.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 26.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 28.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 14.1% | 2,290 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 13.2% | 2,148 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.6% | 1,244 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.9% | 1,127 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.6% | 908 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.0% | 658 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 902 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 752 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 710 |
| 4 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 619 |
| 5 | Joints | 616 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 555 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 30.4% | 4,940 |
| 2 | Suspension | 29.1% | 4,727 |
| 3 | Brakes | 23.7% | 3,846 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 18.0% | 2,919 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.7% | 2,067 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 8.3% | 1,353 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 282 | 13.8% |
| 30-60k | 1,627 | 20.3% |
| 60-90k | 3,812 | 25.3% |
| 90-120k | 5,011 | 28.3% |
| 120-150k | 3,652 | 31.0% |
| 150k+ | 1,864 | 31.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 9,750 | 26.6% |
| Diesel | 6,503 | 29.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,866 | 26.7% |
| 2022 | 3,586 | 27.1% |
| 2023 | 3,315 | 28.1% |
| 2024 | 2,911 | 27.8% |
| 2025 | 2,575 | 28.5% |
What to check before buying a 2007 C30
On a 2007 C30, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (14.1% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Lighting & signalling (13.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (7.6% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2007 Volvo C30s pass their MOT?
72.5% of the 16,253 2007 Volvo C30 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Volvo C30?
Suspension, recorded in 14.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (13.2%).
Does the 2007 C30 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.8% in the 0-30k band to 31.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 16,253 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.