Used car guide

2012 Ford C-MAX: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Ford C-MAXs, from 10,567 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

10,567MOT tests in 2025
63%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
7,100typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Ford C-MAXs than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2× usual
    Ford C-MAX
    19.9% All 2012 cars
    10.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 2% of all 2012 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.

  • Brake pads1.7× usual
    Ford C-MAX
    16.6% All 2012 cars
    9.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 2.2% of all 2012 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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.1× usual
    Ford C-MAX
    9.3% All 2012 cars
    4.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 2.1% of all 2012 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.

  • Anti-roll bar links9× usual
    Ford C-MAX
    2.7% All 2012 cars
    0.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 0.2% of all 2012 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.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 0.9% here, against 5.5% of all 2012 cars. Shock absorbers: 2.3% here, against 6.5% of all 2012 cars.

By area

The share of 2012 Ford C-MAX MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    38% 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.

  • Suspension
    38% 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.

  • 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    25% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Driveshafts and joints
    9% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    8% 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?

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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%
20119,926Tyres 39%
20105,352Suspension 50%
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 2012 Ford C-MAXs registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score