Volvo 300 Series
From 524 MOT tests. Average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced and emissions levels exceed default limits. The top issue, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, caused 40 failures in 2024. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 40 |
| vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced | 19 |
| emissions levels exceed default limits | 18 |
| significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake | 15 |
| a headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led | 15 |
| parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 15 |
| exhaust system leaking or insecure | 13 |
| steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 12 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 11 |
| an obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 11 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 42.6% of 300 Series failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 17.8% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. Breakdown cover may be worth considering for this model. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £181.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 72% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake |
| 1988 | 74.8% | exhaust system leaking or insecure, a flexible brake hose excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched |
Typical mileage
Half of all 300 Seriess tested had between 32,219 and 84,510 miles on the clock.
At 59,135 median miles, the 300 Series has 0.047 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Volvo models
| Volvo Xc60 | 82.7% |
| Volvo V40 | 79% |
| Volvo Xc90 | 78% |
| Volvo Xc40 | 91.2% |
| Volvo V70 | 72% |
Common questions
What is the Volvo 300 Series MOT pass rate?
The Volvo 300 Series has a 72.5% MOT pass rate based on 524 real MOT tests. This is around the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Volvo 300 Series?
The most common MOT failure on the Volvo 300 Series is the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, which caused 40 failures. Other common issues include vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced.
What is the typical mileage of a Volvo 300 Series at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Volvo 300 Series is 59,135 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 32,219 and 84,510 miles.
Buying a used 300 Series?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 72.5% pass rate and an average repair bill of £181 when things go wrong, budget accordingly. 42.6% of failures on this model could actually strand you, so breakdown cover may be worth considering.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.