Used car guide

2011 Ford Focus C-MAX: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2011 Ford Focus C-MAXs, from 118 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 118 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

118MOT tests in 2025
67%pass first time (all 2011 cars: 61%)
7,900typical miles a year
37%had tyres flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 2011 Ford Focus C-MAX MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    37% 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
    36% 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
    30% 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
    19% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    10% 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.

Known faults

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

  • Coolant pipe that can split (early 1.0 EcoBoost)
    Early 1.0 EcoBoost petrol

    On early 1.0 EcoBoost Focuses a small plastic coolant pipe could split and overheat the engine. Ford issued a fix.

    At the viewing: Ask whether the coolant pipe fix was done, and check the coolant level.

    Source: Parkers: Ford Focus Mk3 buying guide

  • PowerShift automatic gearbox
    Automatic versions only

    Expert buying guides suggest avoiding the PowerShift automatic on this Focus. Early versions especially were troublesome.

    At the viewing: If it’s an automatic, ask for proof of gearbox fluid changes and test it in slow traffic for judder or hesitation.

    Source: Parkers: Ford Focus Mk3 buying guide

  • Broken front coil springs

    Front springs can snap. You may hear a clonk when turning the wheel.

    At the viewing: With the car stopped, turn the steering from lock to lock and listen for a clonk or twang. Springs should be replaced in pairs.

    If it needs doing: Coil springs (pair), about £175–£400. ClickMechanic

    Source: Parkers: Ford Focus Mk3 buying guide

  • Rattle from the flywheel

    A rattle as you switch the engine off can mean the dual-mass flywheel is failing, which is a big job alongside the clutch.

    At the viewing: Switch the engine off and listen for a rattle. Check the clutch doesn’t bite very high.

    If it needs doing: Clutch and dual-mass flywheel, about £650–£1,200. ClickMechanic

    Source: Parkers: Ford Focus Mk3 buying guide

Looking at a Ford Focus C-MAX?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2009208Suspension 54%
2008521Suspension 55%
20072,401Suspension 54%
20063,416Suspension 57%
20052,223Suspension 59%
20041,504Suspension 59%
2003114Suspension 60%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2011 Ford Focus C-MAXs registered in 2011. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score