MPV and people carrier · 2003–2019 cars
Ford Focus C-Max reliability
The Ford Focus C-Max fails 48.7% of first MOT tests, 11% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 57,678 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Ford Focus C-Max before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 48.7%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 11% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 57,678
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 7,900
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Ford Focus C-Max ages
Each point is the share of Ford Focus C-Maxs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Ford Focus C-Max | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | 32.1% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 39% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 40.6% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 45.4% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 48% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 47.7% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 49.6% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 50% | 43.5% |
| 19 | 51.4% | 43.4% |
| 20 | 52.3% | 42.8% |
By year
The best and worst Ford Focus C-Max years
2008 cars come out best and 2004 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 415 | 35.9% | 5% fewer fails | 96,928 |
| 2010 | 371 | 41.5% | 10% more fails | 91,790 |
| 2009 | 818 | 40.7% | 2% more fails | 91,686 |
| 2008 Focus C-Max | 2,168 | 45.7% | 8% more fails | 99,389 |
| 2007 Focus C-Max | 11,162 | 47.2% | 8% more fails | 103,670 |
| 2006 Focus C-Max | 17,721 | 48.5% | 11% more fails | 104,024 |
| 2005 Focus C-Max | 13,498 | 49.8% | 11% more fails | 110,004 |
| 2004 Focus C-Max | 10,616 | 51.3% | 14% more fails | 114,716 |
| 2003 | 708 | 51.6% | 17% more fails | 109,037 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Ford Focus C-Max
Its weak spot is tyres: 47% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics26.2%21% above avg
- Suspension21.9%25% above avg
- Tyres10.9%47% above avg
- Brakes10.8%17% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure8.7%1% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors7.3%0% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks7.3%4% above avg
- Steering3.4%13% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags1.6%40% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 8.05% of tests
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
- 2
Position lamp not working 5.08% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 3
Coil spring fractured or broken 4.8% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 4
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 3.98% of tests
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
- 5
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 3.91% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 6
Tyre ply or cords exposed 3.71% 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 3.64% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 8
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 3.31% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Ford Focus C-Max's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit22.51%
- Brake disc pitted or scored12.9%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear12.54%
- Coil spring showing some corrosion10.13%
- Brake pads wearing thin9.68%
- Engine oil leak, not excessive8.98%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Ford Focus C-Max
- 1
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
- 2
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.
- 3
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 4
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
- 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 Focus C-Max covers about 7,900 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
- Petrol67.4%
- Diesel32.6%
- LPG0%
- Other0%
Most common colours
Blue, Silver, Grey, Black, Red
Average engine size: 1.7 litres.
Compare
How the Ford Focus C-Max compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota Estima | 20.8% | 37% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Nissan Elgrand | 29% | 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volkswagen Caravelle | 33.5% | 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| SEAT Altea | 41.2% | 4% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Ford Tourneo | 25.6% | 10% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Ford Focus C-Max | 48.7% | 11% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Kia Carens | 35.6% | 25% 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 Focus C-Max questions, answered
Is the Ford Focus C-Max reliable?
On MOT results, the Ford Focus C-Max is below average: it fails 48.7% of first MOT tests, 11% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 27 of 49 mpv and people carrier models in our index.
What fails most on a Ford Focus C-Max MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Ford Focus C-Max are headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (8.05% of tests), position lamp not working (5.08% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (4.8% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 26.2% of its tests.
Which Ford Focus C-Max year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2008 cars do best (8% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2004 cars do worst (14% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Ford Focus C-Max do a year?
A typical Ford Focus C-Max covers about 7,900 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 Focus 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.
Found a Ford Focus C-Max? Check it free.
MOT history, mileage record, ULEZ, tax and recalls on any UK car, in seconds. No sign-up, no card.