Used car guide

2017 Ford C-MAX: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2017 Ford C-MAXs, from 8,016 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

8,016MOT tests in 2025
83%pass first time (all 2017 cars: 78%)
6,600typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for number plates

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2017 Ford C-MAXs than on all cars registered in 2017.

  • Number plates2× usual
    Ford C-MAX
    3.6% All 2017 cars
    1.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.2% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

  • Sidelights2.2× usual
    Ford C-MAX
    2.2% All 2017 cars
    1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.8% of all 2017 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.

By area

The share of 2017 Ford C-MAX MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    34% 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
    19% 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.

  • Suspension
    11% 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
    8% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    7% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Seats and seatbelts
    4% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

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%
201610,597Tyres 35%
201511,319Tyres 36%
201412,417Tyres 37%
201313,323Tyres 37%
201210,567Tyres 38%
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 2017 Ford C-MAXs registered in 2017. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score