Used car guide

2007 Ford C-MAX: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2007 Ford C-MAXs, from 3,815 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

3,815MOT tests in 2025

52%pass first time (all 2007 cars: 57%)

6,100typical miles a year

1.6×the usual rate for headlights

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2007 Ford C-MAXs than on all cars registered in 2007.

Headlights1.6× usual

Ford C-MAX
20.8% All 2007 cars
13%

Failed outright at MOT: 8.7%, against 4.7% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.
Suspension arm2.7× usual

Ford C-MAX
10.4% All 2007 cars
3.9%

Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.4% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.
Drive shaft (CV) joints1.9× usual

Ford C-MAX
13.7% All 2007 cars
7.3%

Failed outright at MOT: 7.2%, against 3.2% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.
Sub-frame1.8× usual

Ford C-MAX
14% All 2007 cars
7.7%

Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.4% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.
Brake pads1.7× usual

Ford C-MAX
14.4% All 2007 cars
8.4%

Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 2% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 0.9% here, against 11.2% of all 2007 cars.

By area

The share of 2007 Ford C-MAX MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Suspension

57% of testsRough price £120–£400

At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.
Lights and electrics

42% of testsRough price £10–£80

At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
Tyres

42% of testsRough price £70–£150

At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.
Brakes

33% of testsRough price £150–£350

At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.
Driveshafts and joints

14% of testsRough price £60–£350

At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.
Oil and fluid leaks

14% of testsRough price £80–£600

At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Looking at a Ford C-MAX?

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Other years

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2019	2,610	Tyres 33%
2018	4,811	Tyres 33%
2017	8,016	Tyres 34%
2016	10,597	Tyres 35%
2015	11,319	Tyres 36%
2014	12,417	Tyres 37%
2013	13,323	Tyres 37%
2012	10,567	Tyres 38%
2011	9,926	Tyres 39%
2010	5,352	Suspension 50%
2009	4,618	Suspension 54%
2008	8,408	Suspension 55%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2007 Ford C-MAXs registered in 2007. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score