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Common Ford Focus C-max Problems, Faults, and Repair Costs

Every known Ford Focus C-max MOT issue, ranked by how common it is and what it costs to fix. Based on 28,307 real MOT tests across 9 model years.

Segment: family car | Fuel: Diesel, Petrol

69%

Ford Focus C-max pass rate

85%

Ford average

82%

National average

The Ford Focus C-max has an average MOT pass rate of 69%, which is 16 points below the Ford average and 13 points below the national average. Newer FORD FOCUS C-MAXs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 5 percentage points.

Check Your Ford Focus C-max's MOT History

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Most Common Ford Focus C-max MOT Issues

Ranked by how likely they are to affect your Ford Focus C-max, with typical repair costs

Brakes

High likelihood

£80 - £450

Typical repair cost

Common advisories:

Brake discs worn, brake pads thin, handbrake adjustment needed

Failure points:

Brake disc excessively worn, brake pipe corroded, brake efficiency below minimum

Suspension

High likelihood

£150 - £600

Typical repair cost

Common advisories:

Suspension arm bush worn, shock absorber misting, spring corroded

Failure points:

Coil spring broken, ball joint excessive play, shock absorber leaking

Lights

High likelihood

£15 - £200

Typical repair cost

Common advisories:

Headlamp aim slightly out, lens deteriorated

Failure points:

Headlamp not working, brake light not functioning, indicator failure

Tyres

High likelihood

£50 - £300

Typical repair cost

Common advisories:

Tyre approaching legal limit, slight damage to sidewall

Failure points:

Tyre below minimum tread depth, tyre has a cut exposing ply

Exhaust & Emissions

High likelihood

£80 - £800

Typical repair cost

Common advisories:

Exhaust mounting corroded, slight exhaust leak

Failure points:

Exhaust emissions exceed limits, catalytic converter efficiency low, DPF warning

Steering

High likelihood

£100 - £500

Typical repair cost

Common advisories:

Track rod end has slight play, steering rack boot deteriorated

Failure points:

Steering rack leaking, track rod ball joint worn beyond limits

Body & Structure

High likelihood

£200 - £1200

Typical repair cost

Common advisories:

Surface corrosion on subframe, slight body panel damage

Failure points:

Structural corrosion, body mounting corroded through, chassis weakness

Windscreen & Wipers

Lower likelihood

£10 - £350

Typical repair cost

Common advisories:

Minor windscreen chip, wiper blade deteriorated

Failure points:

Windscreen crack in swept area, wiper does not clear windscreen

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Ford Focus C-max Reliability by Year

MOT pass rate for each model year, based on real test data

2003
70%
2004
65%
Worst year
2005
68%
2006
70%
2007
70%
2008
69%
2009
74%
2010
77%
2011
78%
Best year
YearFuelEnginePass RateFail Rate
2011Diesel1.6L78%21%
2010Petrol1.8L77%23%
2009Petrol1.8L74%25%
2008Petrol1.6L69%29%
2007Petrol1.6L70%29%
2006Petrol1.6L70%30%
2005Petrol1.6L68%31%
2004Petrol1.8L65%33%
2003Petrol1.8L70%30%

Most Reliable Year

2011

78% pass rate from 222 tests

View 2011 Ford Focus C-max details

Least Reliable Year

2004

65% pass rate from 4,727 tests

View 2004 Ford Focus C-max details

Ford Focus C-max Running Costs

Want to know the full annual running costs for the Ford Focus C-max? Including fuel, tax, insurance, and predicted repairs based on MOT history.

View Ford Focus C-max Running Costs

Ford Focus C-max FAQ

What are the most common Ford Focus C-max problems?

The most common Ford Focus C-max MOT problems are brakes, suspension, lights, tyres, exhaust & emissions, steering, body & structure issues. These are the areas most likely to cause advisories or failures during an MOT test, based on 28,307 real tests.

Is the Ford Focus C-max reliable?

The Ford Focus C-max has an average MOT pass rate of 69%, which is 13 points below the national average of 82%. This is below average, so budget for potential repairs.

Which year Ford Focus C-max is most reliable?

The 2011 Ford Focus C-max is the most reliable year with a 78% MOT pass rate. Avoid the 2004 model year if reliability is your priority, as it has the lowest pass rate at 65%.

How much does it cost to fix common Ford Focus C-max faults?

Repair costs vary by issue. Brake work on a Ford Focus C-max typically costs £80-£450, suspension repairs cost £150-£600, and exhaust/emissions fixes cost £80-£800. Lighting and wiper fixes are usually under £200.

Check a Specific Ford Focus C-max

Enter any reg plate to see the exact MOT history, defects found, health score, and running cost estimate for that specific car.

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