Used car guide

2010 Ford C-MAX: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2010 Ford C-MAXs, from 5,352 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

5,352MOT tests in 2025
56%pass first time (all 2010 cars: 59%)
6,600typical miles a year
1.7×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2010 Ford C-MAXs than on all cars registered in 2010.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints1.7× usual
    Ford C-MAX
    18.9% All 2010 cars
    11%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 2.2% of all 2010 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.

  • Headlights2× usual
    Ford C-MAX
    13.3% All 2010 cars
    6.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.8%, against 3.6% of all 2010 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.

  • Steering rack5× usual
    Ford C-MAX
    5.5% All 2010 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 0.5% of all 2010 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.

  • Anti-roll bar links13× usual
    Ford C-MAX
    3.9% All 2010 cars
    0.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 0.3% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

  • Individual direction indicators2× usual
    Ford C-MAX
    6.6% All 2010 cars
    3.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 1.3% of all 2010 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: 0.5% here, against 6.8% of all 2010 cars.

By area

The share of 2010 Ford C-MAX MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    50% 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
    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.

  • Lights and electrics
    36% 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
    29% 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
    11% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    9% 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?

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%
20094,618Suspension 54%
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 2010 Ford C-MAXs registered in 2010. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score