2012 Ford Grand C-Max: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Ford Grand C-Max?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2012 Ford Grand C-Max than on all cars registered in 2012.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints2.2× usual
  Ford Grand C-Max

  22.7% All 2012 cars

  10.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 2% of all 2012 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.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints3.3× usual
  Ford Grand C-Max

  14.3% All 2012 cars

  4.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6%, against 2.1% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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.

• Brake pads2× usual
  Ford Grand C-Max

  19.1% All 2012 cars

  9.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 2.2% of all 2012 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.

• Number plates1.8× usual
  Ford Grand C-Max

  6.5% All 2012 cars

  3.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.4% of all 2012 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.

Common 2012 Ford Grand C-Max MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2012 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
  41% 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.

• Suspension
  40% 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.

• Brakes
  33% 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
  31% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Driveshafts and joints
  14% of testsRough price £60–£350

  At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  10% 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 2012 Ford Grand 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.

• Timing belt that runs in oil (1.0 EcoBoost)

  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

  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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2012 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 suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2012 Ford Grand C-Max as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.3× as often on the 2012 Ford Grand C-Max as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2012 Ford Grand C-Max as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?