Used car guide

2009 Ford C-MAX: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 Ford C-MAXs, from 4,618 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

4,618MOT tests in 2025
55%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%)
6,400typical miles a year
1.8×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2009 Ford C-MAXs than on all cars registered in 2009.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints1.8× usual
    Ford C-MAX
    19.6% All 2009 cars
    11.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.9%, against 2.3% of all 2009 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.

  • Steering rack5.9× usual
    Ford C-MAX
    5.9% All 2009 cars
    1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.8%, against 0.5% of all 2009 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) joints1.8× usual
    Ford C-MAX
    9.3% All 2009 cars
    5.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.5%, against 2.4% of all 2009 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.

  • Steering rack inner joints2.2× usual
    Ford C-MAX
    5.5% All 2009 cars
    2.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2009 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.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 0.8% here, against 7.5% of all 2009 cars.

By area

The share of 2009 Ford C-MAX MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    54% 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
    32% 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
    13% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    10% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Looking at a Ford C-MAX?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20192,610Tyres 33%
20184,811Tyres 33%
20178,016Tyres 34%
201610,597Tyres 35%
201511,319Tyres 36%
201412,417Tyres 37%
201313,323Tyres 37%
201210,567Tyres 38%
20119,926Tyres 39%
20105,352Suspension 50%
20088,408Suspension 55%
20073,815Suspension 57%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2009 Ford C-MAXs registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score