Used car guide

2008 Ford C-MAX: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Ford C-MAXs, from 8,408 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

8,408MOT tests in 2025

53%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)

6,200typical miles a year

1.7×the usual rate for brake pads

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Ford C-MAXs than on all cars registered in 2008.

Brake pads1.7× usual

Ford C-MAX
14.5% All 2008 cars
8.7%

Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 2.1% of all 2008 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.
Steering rack5.5× usual

Ford C-MAX
6% All 2008 cars
1.1%

Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 0.6% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.
Drive shaft (CV) joints1.7× usual

Ford C-MAX
12% All 2008 cars
7.2%

Failed outright at MOT: 6.2%, against 3.2% of all 2008 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.
Suspension arm2.3× usual

Ford C-MAX
8.4% All 2008 cars
3.7%

Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.4% of all 2008 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.
Individual direction indicators1.9× usual

Ford C-MAX
5.8% All 2008 cars
3.1%

Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 1.3% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 0.8% here, against 9.6% of all 2008 cars.

By area

The share of 2008 Ford C-MAX MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Suspension

55% 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.
Tyres

41% 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.
Lights and electrics

35% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

32% 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.
Exhaust and emissions

15% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.
Driveshafts and joints

12% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

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%
2007	3,815	Suspension 57%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 Ford C-MAXs registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score