Ford Focus C-max Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Ford Focus C-max car check
Is the Ford Focus C-max reliable? We analysed 1,326,487 real MOT tests across 79,932 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Ford Focus C-max? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Ford Focus C-max is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick and headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Ford Focus C-max.
Ford Focus C-max Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Ford Focus C-max. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Ford Focus C-max MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Ford Focus C-max to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Ford Focus C-max Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Ford Focus C-max fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Ford Focus C-max Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Ford Focus C-max owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Ford Focus C-max MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Ford Focus C-max year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 71 | 80.3% | 38,094 | 53,403 | 64,350 |
| 2014 | 144 | 76.4% | 45,027 | 69,188 | 104,087 |
| 2013 | 254 | 79.1% | 45,387 | 65,748 | 90,984 |
| 2012 | 128 | 84.4% | 45,749 | 66,946 | 92,574 |
| 2011 | 2,069 | 79.5% | 42,399 | 68,191 | 98,321 |
| 2010 | 2,433 | 76.7% | 39,357 | 63,974 | 92,668 |
| 2009 | 6,205 | 74.8% | 40,874 | 64,950 | 91,968 |
| 2008 | 19,048 | 73.5% | 43,110 | 68,679 | 96,074 |
| 2007 | 138,805 | 73.2% | 44,456 | 69,994 | 97,429 |
| 2006 | 283,154 | 73.4% | 44,868 | 70,386 | 98,003 |
| 2005 | 341,680 | 73.0% | 47,316 | 73,496 | 100,908 |
| 2004 | 489,191 | 72.1% | 49,489 | 75,889 | 104,210 |
| 2003 | 42,483 | 72.0% | 48,959 | 74,678 | 102,964 |
| 2002 | 52 | 76.9% | 44,035 | 65,563 | 107,975 |
| 2000 | 53 | 67.9% | 46,775 | 69,828 | 100,202 |
How Long Does a Ford Focus C-max Last?
Based on 79,932 Ford Focus C-max vehicles on UK roads.
Ford Focus C-max Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Ford Focus C-max MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Ford Focus C-max
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
84.4% MOT pass rate from 128 tests
67.9% MOT pass rate from 53 tests
The best year to buy a used Ford Focus C-max is 2012, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 84.4% across 128 tests. The 2000 model year has the lowest pass rate at 67.9% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Ford Focus C-max Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Focus C-max THIS CAR | 72.8% | 1,326,487 | 73,249 mi | 23 yrs |
| Ford Fiesta | 72.8% | 33,753,820 | 57,529 mi | 34 yrs |
| Ford Focus | 73.8% | 28,316,889 | 72,500 mi | 27 yrs |
| Ford Transit | 68.7% | 16,371,688 | 100,614 mi | 37 yrs |
| Volkswagen Up | 85.1% | 1,165,022 | 34,746 mi | 14 yrs |
Compared to the Ford Fiesta (72.8% pass rate) and the Ford Focus (73.8% pass rate), the Ford Focus C-max sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Ford Focus C-max you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Ford Focus C-maxShould you buy a used Ford Focus C-max?
The Ford Focus C-max has an overall MOT pass rate of 72.8% across 1,326,487 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Ford Focus C-max are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (67,238 recorded failures), brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (26,690), and headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (24,018). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Ford Focus C-max owner drives around 6,909 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Ford Focus C-max models stay on UK roads for around 23 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.