Used car guide

2018 Ford C-MAX: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2018 Ford C-MAXs, from 4,811 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

4,811MOT tests in 2025
80%pass first time (all 2018 cars: 81%)
6,000typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for wipers

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2018 Ford C-MAXs than on all cars registered in 2018.

  • Wipers2× usual
    Ford C-MAX
    5.1% All 2018 cars
    2.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 1.5% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

  • Engine warning light2.5× usual
    Ford C-MAX
    2.8% All 2018 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 1.1% of all 2018 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 2018 Ford C-MAX MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    33% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    7% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Suspension
    7% 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.

  • 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
    3% 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%
20178,016Tyres 34%
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 2018 Ford C-MAXs registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score