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FORD C MAX Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 5,708 MOT tests from 408 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®. The figures below describe that VehicleScore® sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are not a claim that every FORD C MAX has the same fault.

FORD C MAX's have a very good reliability rating of 618/999. The score was calculated from the average of every FORD C MAX that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the FORD C MAX.

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Check the reliability of your Ford C-Max

Enter your registration to see the MOT history for this car.

Ford C-Max side view
  • Service history

    Dealer & service records

  • MOT records

    Past & current MOT data

  • Write-off check

    Check for insurance write-offs

  • Finance check

    Outstanding finance & theft checks

Fuel TypeYearReliability ScoreAvg MileageSample Size
Diesel2017749/999Very good76,833 miles3,113 vehicles
Petrol2017743/999Very good73,374 miles3,049 vehicles
Diesel2015711/999Very good77,305 miles4,674 vehicles
Petrol2015699/999Good64,791 miles3,040 vehicles
Diesel2014618/999Good80,477 miles6,746 vehicles
Diesel2013564/999Above average80,180 miles5,224 vehicles
Petrol2013656/999Good62,009 miles3,529 vehicles
Diesel2012531/999Above average80,172 miles3,152 vehicles
Petrol2012611/999Good65,733 miles3,845 vehicles
Diesel2009486/999Average85,267 miles1,754 vehicles
Petrol2009427/999Average70,485 miles3,318 vehicles

How reliable is the FORD C MAX?

Based on 5,708 MOT tests from 408 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®.

Vehicles

408

MOT tests

5,708

Pass rate

79.1%

Median mileage

90,080 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every FORD C MAX has the same fault. The median VehicleScore® in this sample is 637 out of 999.

Common FORD C MAX MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 1,245 advisory comments and 154 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 337 advisory comments and 71 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 210 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Oil leak

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 87 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Corrosion

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 86 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: REAR SUB-FRAME CORRODED BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (5.3.3 (B) (I))

Emissions test issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 37 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an exhaust emissions result. They are counted separately from a warning lamp or a catalytic converter note.

What to inspect

Ask for the emissions printout and whether any repair followed a failed test.

Example MOT wording: EXHAUST EMISSIONS EXCEED MANUFACTURER'S SPECIFIED LIMIT (8.2.2.2 (A))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 18 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT POSITION LAMP NOT WORKING (4.2.1 (A) (II))

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 17 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a parking brake that did not hold well enough or had a component defect.

What to inspect

Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Example MOT wording: PARKING BRAKE EFFICIENCY BELOW REQUIREMENTS (1.4.2 (A) (I))

FORD C MAX MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore® has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

YearVehiclesMOT testsPass rateRecurring issues seen
20181410384.5%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20171715180.8%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20163431088.4%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20154447383.9%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20145363879.2%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20135268280.2%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20125280078.8%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20115079979%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20102343374.8%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20092036479.1%Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
20082756476.1%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2007818369.4%Tyre wear, Coil spring issues

What to check when buying a used FORD C MAX

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore® sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

  • Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

  • Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

  • Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

  • Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

  • Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

  • Emissions test issues. Ask for the emissions printout and whether any repair followed a failed test.

  • Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

  • Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Buying a FORD C MAX?

Common problems tell you what can affect FORD C MAXs generally. VehicleScore® can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore® analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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