Ford C-MAX MOT pass rate and common failures
In 2025, 67.8% of Ford C-MAX MOT tests were a first-time pass, across 105,770 tests in Great Britain. For all cars it was 71.5%.
Compared with cars of the same age
Older cars fail more often, so a model that’s mostly a few years old will look better than one that’s mostly 12. These figures compare like with like.
At 3–5 years
84.2%
All cars: 86.1% (1.9 points worse). 1,314 tests.
At 6–10 years
76.4%
All cars: 76.1% (0.3 points better). 43,100 tests.
At 11 years and over
61.4%
All cars: 61.3% (0.1 points better). 61,331 tests.
Pass rate by age
Figures by age, with typical mileage
| Age (years) | Tests | First-time pass | All cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 1,314 | 84.2% | 84.5% | 31,250 miles |
| 6 | 4,416 | 81.3% | 81.9% | 38,750 miles |
| 7 | 6,316 | 82.3% | 79.3% | 48,750 miles |
| 8 | 9,515 | 80.0% | 76.3% | 56,250 miles |
| 9 | 11,376 | 74.6% | 73.1% | 66,250 miles |
| 10 | 11,477 | 69.9% | 70.0% | 76,250 miles |
| 11 | 12,600 | 68.8% | 66.9% | 83,750 miles |
| 12 | 12,077 | 65.3% | 64.4% | 88,750 miles |
| 13 | 9,960 | 63.9% | 62.1% | 96,250 miles |
| 14 | 7,391 | 60.5% | 60.2% | 98,750 miles |
| 15 | 4,691 | 56.0% | 58.6% | 101,250 miles |
| 16 | 6,551 | 53.5% | 57.5% | 103,750 miles |
| 17 | 6,712 | 51.5% | 57.2% | 106,250 miles |
| 18 | 1,272 | 51.7% | 57.0% | 108,750 miles |
| 19 | 77 | 55.8% | 57.2% | 116,250 miles |
Typical mileage is the median reading at the test, to the nearest 2,500 miles.
What fails most often
The share of Ford C-MAX MOT tests that failed on at least one item in each area, against all cars. A test can fail on several areas at once.
| Area | C-MAX | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 19.2% | 16.6% |
| Tyres | 12.1% | 8.4% |
| Suspension | 12.0% | 13.7% |
| Brakes | 10.0% | 10.2% |
| Visibility | 4.9% | 5.2% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 4.8% | 4.2% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 4.4% | 4.0% |
| Steering | 2.2% | 2.5% |
Most common reasons for failing
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick failed 3.8% of tests · what this means
- Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm failed 3.6% of tests
- Position lamp: not working failed 3.3% of tests · what this means
- Stop lamp: not working failed 3.3% of tests · what this means
- Condition: has ply or cords exposed failed 3.0% of tests
- Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn failed 2.9% of tests · what this means
- Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt failed 2.7% of tests
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively failed 2.2% of tests · what this means
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect failed 2.0% of tests · what this means
- Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords failed 1.8% of tests
Checking a particular C-MAX?
See its own MOT history, mileage record and advisories in plain English. Free, no sign-up.
About these figures
- They cover every C-MAX version DVSA records under this name (engines, trims and generations together), on its first MOT test of each visit. A “pass with rectification” (fixed within an hour) counts as a fail, as in DVSA’s own statistics.
- Cars under three years old are left out, because the few tested that young are mostly taxis.
- Fuel mix of the cars tested: diesel 50.5%, petrol 49.5%, gas bi-fuel 0.0%.
- A pass rate describes the model, not any one car. How a car has been looked after matters more.
Download these figures (CSV) · Other Ford models · All makes
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data for 2025. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Our own analysis; not produced or endorsed by DVSA.