MPV and people carrier · 2006–2019 cars
Ford Grand C-Max reliability
The Ford Grand C-Max fails 31% of first MOT tests, 15% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 119,632 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Ford Grand C-Max before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 31%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 15% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 119,632
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 8,600
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Ford Grand C-Max ages
Each point is the share of Ford Grand C-Maxs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Ford Grand C-Max | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 22% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 21.5% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 24.1% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 25.1% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 28% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 31.3% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 33.7% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 36.3% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 36.6% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 38.9% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 43% | 39.5% |
By year
The best and worst Ford Grand C-Max years
2012 cars come out best and 2019 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Grand C-Max | 2,880 | 23.2% | 79% more fails | 28,400 |
| 2018 Grand C-Max | 9,126 | 23.5% | 57% more fails | 36,237 |
| 2017 Grand C-Max | 12,905 | 23.5% | 31% more fails | 45,961 |
| 2016 Grand C-Max | 21,627 | 26.6% | 25% more fails | 57,438 |
| 2015 Grand C-Max | 12,544 | 29% | 16% more fails | 66,751 |
| 2014 Grand C-Max | 13,724 | 34.3% | 20% more fails | 75,473 |
| 2013 Grand C-Max | 15,132 | 34.4% | 8% more fails | 82,885 |
| 2012 Grand C-Max | 13,032 | 35.6% | 2% more fails | 91,532 |
| 2011 Grand C-Max | 18,225 | 39.1% | 4% more fails | 99,004 |
| 2010 | 426 | 37.6% | 4% fewer fails | 106,915 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Ford Grand C-Max
Its weak spot is tyres: 54% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics12.3%25% above avg
- Tyres10.1%54% above avg
- Brakes7.5%28% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.5%33% above avg
- Suspension4.1%49% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure3.5%43% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks2.9%18% above avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.9%26% above avg
- Steering0.6%62% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 3.98% 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 3.06% 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 3.05% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 4
Tyre ply or cords exposed 2.91% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 5
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.84% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 6
CV joint boot split or insecure 2.2% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 7
Position lamp not working 1.99% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 8
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.62% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Ford Grand C-Max's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit21.57%
- Brake pads wearing thin13.46%
- Brake disc pitted or scored7.69%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear7.47%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking7.16%
- Child seat limits belt inspection5.42%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Ford Grand 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
Tyre ply or cords exposed
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 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 Grand C-Max covers about 8,600 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
- Diesel74.2%
- Petrol25.8%
Most common colours
Blue, Silver, Black, White, Grey
Average engine size: 1.5 litres.
Compare
How the Ford Grand C-Max compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Sharan | 25.4% | 11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Toyota Verso | 27.6% | 8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| SEAT Alhambra | 26% | 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Ford Galaxy | 36.9% | 8% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Ford Grand C-Max | 31% | 15% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Renault Scenic | 44.1% | 27% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Renault Grand Scenic | 46.3% | 33% 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 Grand C-Max questions, answered
Is the Ford Grand C-Max reliable?
On MOT results, the Ford Grand C-Max is below average: it fails 31% of first MOT tests, 15% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 34 of 49 mpv and people carrier models in our index.
What fails most on a Ford Grand C-Max MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Ford Grand C-Max are brake pads worn below 1.5mm (3.98% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (3.06% of tests), stop lamp not working (3.05% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 12.3% of its tests.
Which Ford Grand C-Max year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2012 cars do best (about average for its age) and 2019 cars do worst (79% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Ford Grand C-Max do a year?
A typical Ford Grand C-Max covers about 8,600 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 Grand 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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