Ford C-Max common problems and MOT failures

What usually goes wrong with a Ford C-Max?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

• Timing belt that runs in oil (1.0 EcoBoost)

  Cars registered 2012–2019 · 1.0 petrol (EcoBoost and non-turbo)

  Ford’s 1.0 three-cylinder petrol uses a timing belt that runs in the engine oil on most cars. If oil changes are late or the wrong oil is used, the belt breaks down and sheds rubber that blocks the oil supply, which can wreck the engine. Some later cars have a timing chain instead: a Ford dealer can tell you from the VIN. Ford’s change interval is 10 years or 150,000 miles, and the belt isn’t covered by warranty.

  At the viewing: Ask for a full service history with the right oil, and when the belt was changed. An oil-pressure warning light, a rattle or a rough idle are warning signs.

  Source: Parkers: everything you need to know about the Ford wet belt

• Eight recalls

  Cars registered 2006–2010 · All engines

  Recalls covered the electronic parking brake, wipers, fuel leaks, an engine failure risk (2006), brakes (2007 and 2009), power steering and a fire risk on some cars.

  At the viewing: Run the free DVSA recall check on the reg.

  Source: Carbuyer: used Ford C-MAX buying guide (2003-2010)

• Cambelt due (1.6 engines)

  Cars registered 2006–2010 · 1.6 petrol and diesel

  The 1.6 petrol needs a cambelt every 8 years or 100,000 miles, and the 1.6 diesel every 10 years or 125,000 miles. The 1.8 and 2.0 petrols use chains.

  At the viewing: Check the service history for a cambelt change.

  Source: Carbuyer: used Ford C-MAX buying guide (2003-2010)

• Electrical faults

  Cars registered 2011–2019 · All engines

  Electrical faults, mostly non-engine electrics, are the most common problems.

  At the viewing: Test every electrical item, including windows, lights and the infotainment.

  Source: What Car?: used Ford C-Max (2011-2019) reliability

• Clutch failure

  Cars registered 2006–2010 · Manual gearbox

  Clutch failure is common and expensive to fix.

  At the viewing: Accelerate hard through the gears; if the revs rise without the car speeding up, the clutch is slipping.

  Source: Carbuyer: used Ford C-MAX buying guide (2003-2010)

• Creaking front suspension and air con leaks

  Cars registered 2006–2010 · All engines

  Dried-out front bushes creak and groan, and air con that won't cool may have a costly leak.

  At the viewing: Listen for creaks over speed bumps and check the air con blows cold.

  Source: Carbuyer: used Ford C-MAX buying guide (2003-2010)

Common Ford C-Max MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

• Anti-roll bar links

  up to 17.7× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

  Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

  At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

• Steering rack

  up to 6.2× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.

  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.

• Individual direction indicators

  up to 2.6× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2014.

  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.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints

  up to 1.8× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2012.

  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.

• Brake pads

  up to 1.7× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2011 and 2012.

  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.

• Wipers

  up to 1.9× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

  Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

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

Diesel

• Suspension arm bushes and joints

  up to 2.1× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2013.

  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.

• Diesel smoke emissions

  up to 11.3× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2009, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

  Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

• Steering rack

  up to 7.3× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

  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.

• Suspension arm

  up to 2.9× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2006, 2007 and 2008.

  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 rack inner joints

  up to 2.8× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

  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.

• Individual direction indicators

  up to 2.2× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2010 and 2011.

  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.

Ford C-Max MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2013 Ford C-Max did best (71% passed first time, 4 points above all 2013 cars) and the 2007 did worst (52%, 5 points below all 2007 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Ford C-Max

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Has the timing belt been changed, and is there a full service history with the right oil?
2. Has all the recall work been done?
3. When was the cambelt last changed?
4. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the Ford C-Max as on other cars the same age.)
5. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the Ford C-Max as on other cars the same age.)
6. Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the Ford C-Max as on other cars the same age.)