Used car guide

2014 Ford Grand C-MAX: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2014 Ford Grand C-MAXs, from 3,942 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

3,942MOT tests in 2025

62%pass first time (all 2014 cars: 69%)

8,200typical miles a year

1.9×the usual rate for brake pads

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2014 Ford Grand C-MAXs than on all cars registered in 2014.

Brake pads1.9× usual

Ford Grand C-MAX
19.2% All 2014 cars
9.9%

Failed outright at MOT: 5.1%, against 2.2% of all 2014 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.
Suspension arm bushes and joints1.9× usual

Ford Grand C-MAX
15.7% All 2014 cars
8.2%

Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 1.7% of all 2014 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.
Number plate lights2.1× usual

Ford Grand C-MAX
11% All 2014 cars
5.2%

Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 1.5% of all 2014 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.
Tyre pressure monitoring system5.7× usual

Ford Grand C-MAX
5.1% All 2014 cars
0.9%

Failed outright at MOT: 5.1%, against 0.9% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges. Uneven wear can point to tracking or suspension problems.
Individual direction indicators4.6× usual

Ford Grand C-MAX
4.6% All 2014 cars
1%

Failed outright at MOT: 1.4%, against 0.4% of all 2014 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.

Better than most

Coil springs: 3.4% here, against 6.8% of all 2014 cars. Track rod ends: 1.3% here, against 4.5% of all 2014 cars.

By area

The share of 2014 Ford Grand C-MAX MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Tyres

43% 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

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

30% 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

27% 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

9% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

5% 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.

Looking at a Ford Grand C-MAX?

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Other years

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2019	1,050	Tyres 38%
2018	2,721	Tyres 40%
2017	3,894	Tyres 39%
2016	6,508	Tyres 40%
2015	3,698	Tyres 43%
2013	4,293	Tyres 42%
2012	3,582	Tyres 41%
2011	4,803	Tyres 43%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2014 Ford Grand C-MAXs registered in 2014. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score