2003 Ford Focus C-Max: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2003 Ford Focus C-Max?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2003 Ford Focus C-Max than on all cars registered in 2003.

• Headlights1.8× usual
  Ford Focus C-Max

  21.2% All 2003 cars

  11.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.9%, against 4.6% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

• Sub-frame2.4× usual
  Ford Focus C-Max

  10.9% All 2003 cars

  4.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.3% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

• Suspension arm2.5× usual
  Ford Focus C-Max

  7.7% All 2003 cars

  3.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.4% of all 2003 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.

Common 2003 Ford Focus C-Max MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2003 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
  53% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  44% 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
  37% 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.

• 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  16% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  15% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Known faults on the 2003 Ford Focus C-Max

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.

• Eight recalls

  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)

  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)

• Clutch failure

  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

  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)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2003 Ford Focus C-Max

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

1. Has all the recall work been done?
2. When was the cambelt last changed?
3. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2003 Ford Focus C-Max as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2003 Ford Focus C-Max as on other cars the same age.)
5. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2003 Ford Focus C-Max as on other cars the same age.)
6. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?