2016 Ford Grand C-Max: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2016 Ford Grand C-Max?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2016 Ford Grand C-Max than on all cars registered in 2016.

• Tread depth1.6× usual
  Ford Grand C-Max

  29.5% All 2016 cars

  19%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 2.3% of all 2016 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 pads1.7× usual
  Ford Grand C-Max

  18% All 2016 cars

  10.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.6%, against 2.2% of all 2016 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.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.7× usual
  Ford Grand C-Max

  4.1% All 2016 cars

  1.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 0.9% of all 2016 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 lights2.6× usual
  Ford Grand C-Max

  4.1% All 2016 cars

  1.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 1.3% of all 2016 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.

Petrol or diesel: does it make a difference?

The same figures for each fuel on its own. Check which one the car you're looking at is: it's on the logbook and in its MOT history.

Common 2016 Ford Grand C-Max MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2016 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
  39% 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
  25% 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
  16% 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
  14% 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
  9% 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
  6% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

Known faults on the 2016 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 2016 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 tread depth? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2016 Ford Grand C-Max as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2016 Ford Grand C-Max as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the 2016 Ford Grand C-Max as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?