2009 Volvo C30 MOT pass rate: 63.9% (15,279 tests)
Is the 2009 C30 getting worse?
Pass rate of 2009-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 63.6% -3.2 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 64.0% -2.2 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 64.0% -2.1 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2009 C30
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 4,116 | 25.7% |
| 2 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 3,697 | 23.1% |
| 3 | Tyres | 2,110 | 13.2% |
| 4 | Brakes | 2,048 | 12.8% |
| 5 | Visibility | 1,001 | 6.2% |
| 6 | Body, chassis, structure | 992 | 6.2% |
All C30 years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 6,553 | 62.7% | -2.4 pts | 105,978 |
| 2008 | 9,132 | 61.5% | -3.6 pts | 111,096 |
| 2009 (this page) | 15,279 | 63.9% | -2.5 pts | 103,238 |
| 2010 | 14,897 | 65.9% | -1.5 pts | 104,048 |
| 2011 | 9,445 | 66.8% | -2.4 pts | 99,970 |
| 2012 | 8,615 | 70.0% | -1.2 pts | 86,224 |
| 2013 | 2,911 | 72.3% | -1.0 pts | 79,502 |
Weighing up which year to buy? See the full ranking: Volvo C30 years to avoid.
- Free MOT history checkThe exact car’s failures, advisories and mileage trail — sellers can’t edit it
- Topdon OBD2 scannersTopdon diagnostic scanners with full-system readouts
- XTOOL diagnostic toolsXTOOL code readers for petrol and diesel cars
- Autel UK testersAutel professional-grade diagnostic testers
FAQs
Is a 2009 Volvo C30 reliable?
2009-registered examples passed 63.9% of their MOT tests (15,279 tests, 2023–2025), -2.5 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 17 years old with a median 103,238 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2009 C30?
The median tested example shows 103,238 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.