Ford Focus C-MAX
From 20,387 MOT tests. Below average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Newer Focus C-MAXs fare better: 2011 models pass at 71.6% vs 61% for 2004.
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements and tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements. The top issue, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, caused 1,654 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 1,654 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 1,502 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 725 |
| a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 673 |
| a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 665 |
| a tyre cords visible or damaged | 649 |
| a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 628 |
| a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 583 |
| headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective | 574 |
| a rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources | 531 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 15.9% of Focus C-MAX failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 28.1% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £98.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 71.6% | a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 2010 | 65.3% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
| 2009 | 68.5% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |
| 2008 | 65.1% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |
5 earlier years
| 2007 | 64.4% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
| 2006 | 63.4% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
| 2005 | 62.5% | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 2004 | 61% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
| 2003 | 60.8% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
Typical mileage
Half of all Focus C-MAXs tested had between 89,526 and 126,541 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 108,918 median miles, the Focus C-MAX has 0.034 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Ford models
| Ford Fiesta | 72.9% |
| Ford Focus | 74.7% |
| Ford Transit | 70.4% |
| Ford Kuga | 82.2% |
| Ford Mondeo | 73.8% |
Common questions
What is the Ford Focus C-MAX MOT pass rate?
The Ford Focus C-MAX has a 63.2% MOT pass rate based on 20,387 real MOT tests. This is below the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Ford Focus C-MAX?
The most common MOT failure on the Ford Focus C-MAX is a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, which caused 1,654 failures. Other common issues include the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements.
What is the typical mileage of a Ford Focus C-MAX at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Ford Focus C-MAX is 108,918 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 89,526 and 126,541 miles.
Buying a used Focus C-MAX?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 63.2% pass rate and an average repair bill of £98 when things go wrong, budget accordingly.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.