Ti-VCT cam phasers / oil control valve
Signs: Rattle on start, rough idle, VCT codes (1.6 Ti-VCT)
Fix: Replace phasers / solenoid; correct oil
2006–2013
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The Volvo C30 was built from 2006 to 2013.
For this generation we cover 5 engines and 19 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is Turbo failure (oil starvation, 16v): it usually appears at 80,000–200,000 km and costs €700–1,600 to fix.
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 150–200 thousand km this model most often failed on: lights, wipers and visibility (24.5 %), suspension (17.8 %), tyres and wheels (10.3 %). It fails less often than average on: exhaust, emissions and leaks.
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.25 / 1.4 / 1.5 / 1.6 Duratec / Ti-VCT (Ford Sigma) | Petrol | Belt · 150,000 km / every 120 mo | 5W-20 / 5W-30 · Ford WSS-M2C913-C / 948-B · ~3.8–4.1 L · every 15,000 km |
| 1.3–2.5 MZR / Duratec HE petrol | Petrol | Chain | 5W-30 · API SL/SM / Ford WSS-M2C913 · ~4.3 L · every 15,000 km |
| 1.6 HDi / TDCi / e-HDi (DV6, 8v / 16v) | Diesel | Belt · 150,000 km / every 96 mo | 5W-30 · PSA B71 2290 / Ford WSS-M2C913-C · ~3.75 L · every 15,000 km |
| 2.0 HDi / TDCi / BlueHDi (DW10) | Diesel | Belt · 150,000 km / every 96 mo | 5W-30 · PSA B71 2290 / Ford WSS-M2C913-C / 934-B · ~4.25–5.5 L · every 15,000 km |
| 2.0 / 2.4 D / D3 / D4 / D5 5-cyl (Volvo D5) | Diesel | Belt · 120,000 km / every 96 mo | 5W-30 / 0W-30 · ACEA A5/B5 / C2 · ~6.0 L · every 15,000 km |
Signs: Rattle on start, rough idle, VCT codes (1.6 Ti-VCT)
Fix: Replace phasers / solenoid; correct oil
Signs: Misfire
Fix: Replace coil
Signs: Coolant loss
Fix: Replace housing
Signs: Ticking; check more often on LPG
Fix: Adjust clearances
Signs: Misfire, uneven idle
Fix: Replace coil, clean throttle body
Signs: Whistle, blue smoke, oil loss — carbon blocks the oil feed filter
Fix: Replace turbo, oil feed pipe with filter, clean the sump
Signs: Ticking, diesel / soot smell, carbon around injectors
Fix: Replace seals early; remove carbon
Signs: 'Additive level low' / DPF warning
Fix: Refill additive, clean or replace DPF
Signs: Limp mode, power loss
Fix: Clean or replace
Signs: Smoke, knocking, hard start
Fix: Replace seals / injectors
Signs: DPF / additive warning
Fix: Refill additive, clean DPF
Signs: Limp mode
Fix: Clean or replace
Signs: Overboost / underboost
Fix: Clean or replace
Signs: Engine light, power loss
Fix: Replace manifold / actuator
Signs: Limp mode
Fix: Clean or replace
Signs: Oil leaks from seals, crankcase pressure
Fix: Replace oil trap / breather
Signs: Limp mode
Fix: Replace actuator
Signs: Slipping, high bite point
Fix: Replace clutch kit
Signs: Harsh 2–3 / 3–4 shifts, flare
Fix: Fluid flush; valve body
Signs: Rough shifts when the fluid is old
Fix: Fluid change every 60,000 km
Intervals and typical prices for the 1.25 / 1.4 / 1.5 / 1.6 Duratec / Ti-VCT (Ford Sigma) engine. Other engines differ in oil, timing drive and some filters; the app gives the exact plan.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Cabin (pollen) filterClimate | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €15–40 |
| Brake fluidBrakes | every 24 months | €50–95 |
| A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate | every 24 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Spark plugsIgnition | every 60,000 km or every 48 months | €50–160 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Timing belt kit + water pumpEngine | every 150,000 km or every 120 months | €450–900 |
| Manual gearbox oilTransmission | every 150,000 km | €60–130 |
| Front brake padsBrakes | usually at 30,000–60,000 km | €60–150 |
| Front brake discs + padsBrakes | usually at 60,000–120,000 km | €150–320 |
| Rear brake padsBrakes | usually at 50,000–90,000 km | €50–130 |
| Tyres (set of 4)Wheels | usually at 40,000–60,000 km | €320–700 |
| Wiper bladesBody | checked at service | €20–50 |
| 12V batteryElectrical | checked at service | €100–220 |
Share of tests in the United Kingdom (DVSA MOT, 2024) that this model failed because of each system. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and mileage. Sample: 22,669 tests.
| thousand km | 0–50 | 50–100 | 100–150 | 150–200 | 200–250 | 250+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 3.9 % | 4.7 % | 7.6 % | 9.9 % | 11.7 % | 12.7 % |
| Suspension | 5.6 % | 8.7 % | 13.2 % | 17.8 % | 21.3 % | 20.9 % |
| Steering | 1.5 % | 2.2 % | 2.6 % | 3.6 % | 4.3 % | 4.8 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 3.1 % | 6.3 % | 8.3 % | 10.3 % | 12.5 % | 11.8 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 8.7 % | 14.9 % | 18.7 % | 24.5 % | 27.9 % | 28.0 % |
| Body and corrosion | 0.9 % | 2.9 % | 5.3 % | 8.0 % | 9.4 % | 8.7 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 0.7 % | 1.4 % | 2.7 % | 4.3 % | 5.8 % | 6.4 % |
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (18). The same recalls usually apply across Europe. Ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether your car is affected and whether the work has been done.
The other recalls (10) are listed in the app.
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.
Updated 07/10/2026