2009 Volvo C30 petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2009 Volvo C30 petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2009 Volvo C30 petrol than on all cars registered in 2009.

• Number plate lights2.2× usual
  Volvo C30

  18.5% All 2009 cars

  8.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, against 2.3% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

• Exhaust system1.7× usual
  Volvo C30

  13.1% All 2009 cars

  7.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 2.2% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

• Individual direction indicators2.1× usual
  Volvo C30

  6.2% All 2009 cars

  2.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 1.3% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Steering rack4.3× usual
  Volvo C30

  3.9% All 2009 cars

  0.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 0.4% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

• Power steering pipes and hoses10× usual
  Volvo C30

  3% All 2009 cars

  0.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

Common 2009 Volvo C30 petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2009 Volvo C30 petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  39% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Tyres
  38% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Lights and electrics
  37% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Brakes
  27% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Exhaust and emissions
  14% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for an engine warning light.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  10% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Known faults on the 2009 Volvo C30 petrol

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Brake, steering and cooling recalls

  All engines

  There were several recalls, covering brakes, steering and engine cooling.

  At the viewing: Run the free DVSA recall check on the reg.

  Source: What Car?: Volvo C30 (2007-2013) reliability

• Stability control failure

  All engines

  Older cars can suffer a stability control failure that is expensive to fix.

  At the viewing: Make sure no stability control or ABS warning lights show.

  Source: What Car?: Volvo C30 (2007-2013) reliability

• Rattling trim and air con

  All engines

  Listen for rattling trim, and check the ventilation and air con work properly.

  At the viewing: Listen for rattles on rough roads and test the air con.

  Source: What Car?: Volvo C30 (2007-2013) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2009 Volvo C30 petrol

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Has all the recall work been done?
2. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2009 Volvo C30 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2009 Volvo C30 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the individual direction indicators? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2009 Volvo C30 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?