2010 Volvo C30 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 34,409 MOT tests analysed for the 2010 Volvo C30, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres. Its pass rate of 74.8% was in line with the average for small family cars of a similar age (75.8%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 29.4% in the 150k+ group versus 13.5% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.7% | 5,065 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.4% | 3,936 |
| 3 | Tyres | 7.1% | 2,450 |
| 4 | Brakes | 6.5% | 2,234 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.3% | 1,477 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.8% | 1,308 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 2,653 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 1,719 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 1,321 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 1,268 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 1,137 |
| 6 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 1,127 |
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 | 30.7% | 10,566 |
| 2 | Suspension | 25.5% | 8,768 |
| 3 | Brakes | 22.4% | 7,718 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 16.8% | 5,785 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 8.2% | 2,828 |
| 6 | Other defects | 7.7% | 2,647 |
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 | 669 | 13.5% |
| 30-60k | 3,593 | 18.1% |
| 60-90k | 9,109 | 23.1% |
| 90-120k | 11,298 | 26.8% |
| 120-150k | 6,844 | 28.4% |
| 150k+ | 2,891 | 29.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 24,676 | 25.3% |
| Petrol | 9,733 | 24.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7,452 | 23.9% |
| 2022 | 7,212 | 24.0% |
| 2023 | 7,128 | 25.6% |
| 2024 | 6,603 | 26.4% |
| 2025 | 6,014 | 26.4% |
What to check before buying a 2010 C30
Before buying a 2010 Volvo C30, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 14.7% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (14.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.4% 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 (7.1% 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 2010 Volvo C30s pass their MOT?
74.8% of the 34,409 2010 Volvo C30 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Volvo C30?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.7% of tests, followed by suspension (11.4%).
Does the 2010 C30 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.5% in the 0-30k band to 29.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 34,409 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.