Does the Volvo C30 fail the MOT on suspension more than it should?
The Volvo C30 records 21.89 suspension failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 22.26 expected for a car of the same age mix: about as expected for its class and age (the difference is within its interval or under 0.5 items per 100 tests) (−0.37, 95% interval −0.61 to −0.14). It ranks 280 of 701 models on suspension (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on suspension · check a Volvo C30 by registration
What exactly fails on suspension?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Volvo C30 is “A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn”, recorded 16,117 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 16,117 | 10.43 |
| A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 7,818 | 5.06 |
| A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 1,666 | 1.08 |
| A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage | 1,614 | 1.04 |
| A suspension component fractured or likely to fail | 1,387 | 0.90 |
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 suspension advisory, how often does it fail next time?
20.5% of Volvo C30 MOTs with a suspension advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12 months and 5,723 miles later (25,865 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 25,865 (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 lamps, reflectors and electrics 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 tyres failures · Volvo C30 visibility failures