2011 Volvo C30 MOT pass rate: 66.8% (9,445 tests)
Is the 2011 C30 getting worse?
Pass rate of 2011-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 66.9% -3.2 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 66.9% -2.0 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 66.5% -1.9 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 2011 C30
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 2,181 | 25.8% |
| 2 | Suspension | 1,918 | 22.7% |
| 3 | Brakes | 1,169 | 13.8% |
| 4 | Tyres | 1,139 | 13.5% |
| 5 | Body, chassis, structure | 1,053 | 12.5% |
| 6 | Visibility | 477 | 5.6% |
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 | 15,279 | 63.9% | -2.5 pts | 103,238 |
| 2010 | 14,897 | 65.9% | -1.5 pts | 104,048 |
| 2011 (this page) | 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 2011 Volvo C30 reliable?
2011-registered examples passed 66.8% of their MOT tests (9,445 tests, 2023–2025), -2.4 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 15 years old with a median 99,970 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2011 C30?
The median tested example shows 99,970 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.
Should I buy the petrol or diesel 2011 C30?
In this cohort petrols pass 72.0% of tests against 65.2% for diesels. Mileage and use can explain part of that gap, so treat it as a reason to inspect DPF and emissions history, not a fuel-type verdict.
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.