Used car guide · 2010–2019

Ford Grand C-Max common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Ford Grand C-Max, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 106,491 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

106,491MOTs done in 2023–2025, all years of this model
34,198on the UK register
2known faults across all years
2012best year at its MOT

Pick the year

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

2019201820172016201520142013201220112010

What usually goes wrong with a Ford Grand 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

  • 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

Common Ford Grand C-Max MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

  • Brake pads

    up to 2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

    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 joints

    up to 2.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

    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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints

    up to 3.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2011, 2012 and 2016.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Number plates

    up to 2.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2012, 2013 and 2017.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

  • Wipers

    up to 2.2× 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.

  • Tread depth

    up to 1.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

    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.

Ford Grand C-Max MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2012 Ford Grand C-Max did best (63% passed first time, 1 point below all 2012 cars) and the 2019 did worst (76%, 9 points below all 2019 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
201976%85% -93,244
201874%83% -98,107
201775%80% -511,582
201671%77% -619,570
201568%74% -611,252
201464%70% -612,166
201363%67% -413,362
201263%64% -111,290
201159%62% -315,571
201060%60% +0347 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Ford Grand 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. Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the Ford Grand C-Max as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the Ford Grand C-Max as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.8× as often on the Ford Grand C-Max as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Ford Grand C-Max?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score