MPV and people carrier · 2003–2021 cars

Ford C-Max reliability

The Ford C-Max fails 30% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, based on 377,543 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

About averageReliability score 51/100#16 of 49 mpv and people carriers

Checking a Ford C-Max before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 30%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 1% fewer; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 377,543; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 7,300; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The Ford C-Max has a first-time MOT fail rate of 30%, compared with 28.4% for all cars. Against cars of the same age and mileage, it is about average, and it ranks 16 of 49 mpv and people carrier models. 2013 was the best year, with 11% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage. 2019 was the weakest, with 35% more. Tyres are the weak spot, with 23% more fails than comparable cars.

An average model can still be a good buy if you check the right things. If you can, look at a 2013 car, and be careful with 2019 cars. Before you buy, check these most common MOT failures: brake pads worn below 1.5mm (2.85% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.6% of tests), a stop lamp not working (2.38% of tests), and a position lamp not working (2.27% of tests).

MOT fail rate by age

How the Ford C-Max ages

Each point is the share of Ford C-Maxs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

Ford C-MaxAll cars

Ford C-Max first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Ford C-Max	All cars
3	16.2%	12.3%
4	14.6%	14.1%
5	15.8%	16.4%
6	17.2%	19.1%
7	20%	22.1%
8	23.1%	25.5%
9	26.6%	28.8%
10	29.2%	31.8%
11	32.8%	34.6%
12	37%	37.3%
13	41.9%	39.5%
14	45%	41.1%
15	46.9%	42.3%
16	48.1%	42.9%
17	49.5%	43.4%

By year

The best and worst Ford C-Max years

2013 cars come out best and 2019 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Ford C-Max MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2019 C-Max	6,902	15.6%	35% more fails	21,835
2018 C-Max	15,419	16.6%	25% more fails	27,698
2017 C-Max	24,841	15.8%	3% fewer fails	37,885
2016 C-Max	32,260	17.7%	8% fewer fails	46,005
2015 C-Max	36,899	21.3%	8% fewer fails	56,724
2014 C-Max	42,156	26.3%	2% fewer fails	65,301
2013 C-Max	45,904	27.1%	11% fewer fails	73,910
2012 C-Max	36,765	31%	7% fewer fails	80,331
2011 C-Max	35,511	33.6%	8% fewer fails	87,832
2010 C-Max	20,801	42.2%	9% more fails	91,011
2009 C-Max	19,728	43.3%	6% more fails	95,939
2008 C-Max	40,169	46.1%	8% more fails	101,002
2007 C-Max	18,877	47.7%	10% more fails	105,061
2006 C-Max	1,117	48.9%	9% more fails	116,849

Common problems

What fails most on a Ford C-Max

Its weak spot is tyres: 23% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Lights and electrics11.9%1% below avg
Tyres8.1%23% above avg
Suspension7.5%25% below avg
Brakes6.2%10% below avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.8%2% above avg
Body, chassis and structure3.5%1% below avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.2%1% below avg
Steering1.9%5% below avg
Wheels0.4%4% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 2.85% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
2
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.6% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
3
Stop lamp not working 2.38% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
4
Position lamp not working 2.27% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
5
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.21% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
6
Tyre ply or cords exposed 2.17% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
7
CV joint boot split or insecure 1.78% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
8
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 1.58% of tests
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Ford C-Max's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit18.98%
Brake pads wearing thin10.7%
Brake disc pitted or scored8.71%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking8.07%
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear7.76%
Child seat limits belt inspection3.47%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Ford C-Max

1
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
2
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
3
Stop lamp not working
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
4
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
6
The mileage record
A typical Ford C-Max covers about 7,300 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

Petrol50.4%
Diesel49.6%
LPG0%
Hybrid0%
Electric0%

Most common colours

Blue, Silver, Black, Grey, White

Average engine size: 1.6 litres.

Compare

How the Ford C-Max compares with its rivals

Ford C-Max against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Volkswagen Touran	32.9%	6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Ford C-Max	30%	about average for its age
Ford S-Max	34.6%	about average for its age
Ford Galaxy	36.9%	8% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Vauxhall Zafira	38.5%	12% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Vauxhall Meriva	37.1%	16% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Renault Scenic	44.1%	27% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every mpv and people carrier ranked in the mpv and people carrier reliability index, or all Ford models.

Questions

Ford C-Max questions, answered

Is the Ford C-Max reliable?

On MOT results, the Ford C-Max is about average: it fails 30% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage. It ranks 16 of 49 mpv and people carrier models in our index.

What fails most on a Ford C-Max MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Ford C-Max are brake pads worn below 1.5mm (2.85% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.6% of tests), stop lamp not working (2.38% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 11.9% of its tests.

Which Ford C-Max year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2013 cars do best (11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2019 cars do worst (35% more MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Ford C-Max do a year?

A typical Ford C-Max covers about 7,300 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a Ford C-Max before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

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