Used car guide

2008 Ford Focus C-MAX: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Ford Focus C-MAXs, from 521 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

521MOT tests in 2025
54%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
6,100typical miles a year
2.1×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Ford Focus C-MAXs than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.1× usual
    Ford Focus C-MAX
    15.2% All 2008 cars
    7.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.7%, against 3.2% of all 2008 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.

  • Suspension arm2.8× usual
    Ford Focus C-MAX
    10.2% All 2008 cars
    3.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0.4% of all 2008 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 rack5.3× usual
    Ford Focus C-MAX
    5.8% All 2008 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 0.6% of all 2008 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.

By area

The share of 2008 Ford Focus C-MAX MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    55% 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
    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
    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.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    15% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

  • Exhaust and emissions
    12% 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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20072,401Suspension 54%
20063,416Suspension 57%
20052,223Suspension 59%
20041,504Suspension 59%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 Ford Focus C-MAXs registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score