Does the Volvo C30 fail the MOT on lamps, reflectors and electrics more than it should?
The Volvo C30 records 33.41 lamps, reflectors and electrics failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 24.43 expected for a car of the same age mix: more than expected for its class and age (+8.98, 95% interval +8.69 to +9.27). It ranks 85 of 729 models on lamps, reflectors and electrics (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on lamps, reflectors and electrics · check a Volvo C30 by registration
What exactly fails on lamps, reflectors and electrics?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Volvo C30 is “A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources”, recorded 16,124 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources | 16,124 | 10.44 |
| A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 7,274 | 4.71 |
| Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements | 4,862 | 3.15 |
| The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 4,773 | 3.09 |
| A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps | 4,208 | 2.72 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 154,484 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
If a Volvo C30 gets a lamps, reflectors and electrics advisory, how often does it fail next time?
29.8% of Volvo C30 MOTs with a lamps, reflectors and electrics advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12 months and 5,960 miles later (4,751 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 4,751 (advisories followed) · Method: the same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
Volvo C30 2006 · Volvo C30 2007 · Volvo C30 2008 · Volvo C30 2009 · Volvo C30 2010 · Volvo C30 2011 · Volvo C30 2012 · Volvo C30 2013 · Volvo C30 in Norway · Volvo C30 in Finland · Volvo C30 in the Netherlands · Volvo C30 by postcode area · Volvo C30 body, chassis and structure failures · Volvo C30 brakes failures · Volvo C30 vehicle identification failures · Volvo C30 noise, emissions and leaks failures · Volvo C30 road wheels failures · Volvo C30 seat belts and airbags failures · Volvo C30 steering failures · Volvo C30 suspension failures · Volvo C30 tyres failures · Volvo C30 visibility failures