Ford C-Max: what fails at MOT
140,000 MOT tests on the Ford C-Max in 2024, counted. 31.5% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
31.5% of Ford C-Max tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 30.5%, so the C-Max is about average for its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (9.4% of tests), tyres (6.3% of tests) and suspension (5.9% of tests). It fails on tyres more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 3,208 | 14.5% | 13.4% | 26,300 17,200 to 37,200 |
| 2018 | 5,575 | 17.2% | 15.6% | 35,100 24,700 to 47,300 |
| 2017 | 8,634 | 16.9% | 18.2% | 44,700 32,500 to 59,200 |
| 2016 | 10,952 | 18.4% | 21.3% | 52,600 38,700 to 68,600 |
| 2015 | 13,928 | 23.2% | 24.4% | 63,600 47,600 to 81,100 |
| 2014 | 16,515 | 28.1% | 27.7% | 71,700 55,400 to 89,800 |
| 2013 | 17,764 | 29.6% | 30.6% | 80,100 62,200 to 99,600 |
| 2012 | 14,162 | 33.2% | 33.4% | 86,000 67,700 to 107,000 |
| 2011 | 13,634 | 35.8% | 36.1% | 93,900 74,400 to 114,900 |
| 2010 | 7,495 | 43.6% | 38.6% | 96,400 76,800 to 116,600 |
| 2009 | 7,080 | 44.2% | 39.8% | 100,400 79,700 to 121,800 |
| 2008 | 14,155 | 47.8% | 41.5% | 104,000 84,700 to 124,400 |
| 2007 | 6,443 | 49.4% | 41.5% | 108,000 87,000 to 128,100 |
| 2006 | 317 | 53.3% | 42.4% | 119,500 94,600 to 139,100 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Ford C-Max tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | C-Max | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 9.4% | 8.7% |
| Tyres More than most | 6.3% | 4.6% |
| Suspension | 5.9% | 7.4% |
| Brakes | 4.9% | 5.1% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 3.4% | 3.2% |
| Body and structure | 2.8% | 2.6% |
| Exhaust and emissions | 2.5% | 2.4% |
| Steering | 1.5% | 1.6% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre4.0%
- Brake pads2.5%
- Headlamp aim2.5%
- Brake light2.3%
- Tyre tread2.2%
- Side light2.1%
- Headlamp1.9%
- Driveshaft joint1.7%
- Washers1.6%
- Wipers1.6%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.4%
- Brake light: not working2.2%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm2.1%
- Side light: not working2.0%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed1.8%
- Driveshaft joint: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.7%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.6%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.3%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.2%
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect1.2%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge17.8%
- Brake pads: wearing thin8.9%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened7.8%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement7.2%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing7.1%
- Coil spring: corroded3.2%
- Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened3.0%
- Number plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread2.5%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
Check a Ford C-Max's own MOT record
Looking at a C-Max? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.