Used car guide

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

What gets flagged at MOT on 2018 Ford Grand C-MAXs, from 2,721 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,721MOT tests in 2025
72%pass first time (all 2018 cars: 81%)
7,500typical miles a year
1.6×the usual rate for tread depth

What stands out

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

  • Tread depth1.6× usual
    Ford Grand C-MAX
    28% All 2018 cars
    17.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 2% of all 2018 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, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Brake pads1.6× usual
    Ford Grand C-MAX
    18% All 2018 cars
    11%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.5%, against 2.1% of all 2018 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.

  • Engine warning light3.9× usual
    Ford Grand C-MAX
    4.3% All 2018 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, 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.

  • Wipers2.1× usual
    Ford Grand C-MAX
    5.2% All 2018 cars
    2.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, 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.

By area

The share of 2018 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
    40% 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
    23% 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
    13% 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
    9% 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
    8% 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
    8% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

Looking at a Ford Grand C-MAX?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20191,050Tyres 38%
20173,894Tyres 39%
20166,508Tyres 40%
20153,698Tyres 43%
20143,942Tyres 43%
20134,293Tyres 42%
20123,582Tyres 41%
20114,803Tyres 43%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2018 Ford Grand C-MAXs registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score