Ford Grand C-Max: what fails at MOT
46,000 MOT tests on the Ford Grand C-Max in 2024, counted. 32% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
32% of Ford Grand C-Max tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 26%, so the Grand C-Max does worse than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (9.6% of tests), tyres (7.9% of tests) and brakes (5.7% of tests). It fails on lights and electrics, tyres and brakes 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 | 1,386 | 23.8% | 13.4% | 33,000 22,100 to 47,100 |
| 2018 | 3,538 | 24.3% | 15.6% | 45,200 32,600 to 60,200 |
| 2017 | 5,054 | 24.7% | 18.2% | 54,700 41,700 to 70,000 |
| 2016 | 8,347 | 27.9% | 21.3% | 65,400 51,000 to 82,300 |
| 2015 | 4,886 | 30.8% | 24.4% | 74,500 59,200 to 93,300 |
| 2014 | 5,282 | 35.4% | 27.7% | 83,100 67,100 to 101,300 |
| 2013 | 5,784 | 35.0% | 30.6% | 89,400 72,000 to 109,300 |
| 2012 | 4,990 | 36.3% | 33.4% | 97,700 79,100 to 120,100 |
| 2011 | 6,897 | 40.5% | 36.1% | 104,900 86,700 to 125,100 |
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 Grand 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 | Grand C-Max | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics More than most | 9.6% | 6.7% |
| Tyres More than most | 7.9% | 4.4% |
| Brakes More than most | 5.7% | 4.1% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen More than most | 3.7% | 2.8% |
| Suspension Less than most | 3.5% | 5.7% |
| Body and structure More than most | 3.1% | 1.8% |
| Exhaust and emissions More than most | 2.5% | 1.8% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.6% | 0.5% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre5.1%
- Brake pads3.4%
- Brake light3.0%
- Tyre tread2.6%
- Headlamp aim2.4%
- Driveshaft joint2.3%
- Side light2.1%
- Wipers1.9%
- Washers1.6%
- Suspension pins and bushes1.4%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick3.3%
- Brake light: not working2.8%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed2.5%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm2.5%
- Driveshaft joint: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.2%
- Side light: not working2.0%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.9%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.4%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.4%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.2%
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 edge20.7%
- Brake pads: wearing thin10.7%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement7.5%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened7.1%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing6.3%
- Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt3.9%
- Number plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread2.8%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive2.3%
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
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Do the wipers and washers work properly, and is the windscreen chipped or cracked?”
Check a Ford Grand C-Max's own MOT record
Looking at a Grand 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.