2009 Volvo C30 — MOT failures & pass rate
36,444 MOT tests on the 2009 Volvo C30 are in this dataset, and 73.5% of them passed. That is 1.2 percentage points worse than small family cars of a similar age, which fail at 25.4%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (14.5%) and suspension (13.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, coil spring and position lamp — pins and bushes alone was recorded 2,105 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 12.7% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 30.1% once past 150k — 2.4× the risk.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 26.2% of the time against 26.8% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 30.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 25.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 27.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.5% | 5,299 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.2% | 4,819 |
| 3 | Tyres | 7.3% | 2,677 |
| 4 | Brakes | 6.1% | 2,231 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.8% | 1,739 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.8% | 1,374 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pins and bushes | 2,105 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 1,919 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 1,881 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 1,660 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 1,385 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 1,316 |
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 | 30.9% | 11,256 |
| 2 | Suspension | 24.2% | 8,814 |
| 3 | Brakes | 21.4% | 7,798 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 18.1% | 6,598 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.8% | 3,210 |
| 6 | Other defects | 8.1% | 2,964 |
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 | 937 | 12.7% |
| 30-60k | 4,200 | 18.9% |
| 60-90k | 8,959 | 24.8% |
| 90-120k | 11,758 | 28.4% |
| 120-150k | 7,430 | 30.1% |
| 150k+ | 3,149 | 30.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 21,378 | 26.8% |
| Petrol | 15,066 | 26.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,171 | 25.4% |
| 2022 | 7,848 | 25.6% |
| 2023 | 7,497 | 27.3% |
| 2024 | 6,823 | 27.2% |
| 2025 | 6,105 | 27.4% |
What to check before buying a 2009 C30
On a 2009 C30, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (14.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.2% 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.
- Tyres (7.3% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 2009 Volvo C30s pass their MOT?
73.5% of the 36,444 2009 Volvo C30 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Volvo C30?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.5% of tests, followed by suspension (13.2%).
Does the 2009 C30 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.7% in the 0-30k band to 30.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 36,444 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.