Volvo C30 (2008)

4,907 real MOT outcomes analysed • 74.1% first-time pass rate

2008 Volvo C30

CarHunch analysed 4,907 real MOT records for the 2008 Volvo C30. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 5.9% below UK average
74.1%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
69,716
typical mileage
55,247–84,544 middle half
55.3%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
4.72
avg MOT failures per car
over 17.4 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2008 Volvo C30

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
  • 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
  • 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
  • ⚠️ 55.3% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
  • 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a Volvo C30

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (52%) 2,530 74% 4.88
Diesel (48%) 2,377 74.2% 4.54

Mileage Distribution

Most 2008 Volvo C30 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

55,247
low mileage
69,716
typical
84,544
high mileage

Half of all 2008 Volvo C30 vehicles fall between 55,247 and 84,544 miles.

2008 Volvo C30 — Still on the Road

2,537 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 55% of the peak remain.

4,621 2,537 2014 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.

MOT History Averages

17.4
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
4.72
Avg failures per vehicle
23.1
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 2008 Volvo C30

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

  • 52.4%
    Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
  • 52.3%
    Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 52.2%
    Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 49.6%
    Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
  • 38.9%
    Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 37%
    Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 35.6%
    Oil leak, but not excessive
  • 29.8%
    Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2008. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Volvo C30?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — Volvo C30:

2006 2007 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013