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Ford Grand C-Max reliability

D · Below average

MOT pass rates and common problems from 292,501 MOT tests of cars first registered 2011–2019.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
70.4%pass first time
−3.1 ptsvs typical car
Beats 31%of cars
292,501MOT tests

Verdict

The Ford Grand C-Max passes its MOT first time on 70.4% of tests, 3.1 points lower than a typical car of the same age and mileage (73.5%). That puts it ahead of 31% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2012 Grand C-Max does best (beats 52% of cars) and the 2016 worst (beats 15%).

Of its engines, the 1.6 Petrol does best (beats 57%) and the 1.0 Petrol worst (beats 14%).

Better than average on suspension, steering.

Watch these weak spots

Tyres1.5×as often as a typical car
Body & structure1.3×as often as a typical car
Brake pads2.0×as often as a typical car
Tyre damage & cracking1.6×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

50%60%70%80%90%345678910111213141582%77%72%68%63%60%58%
Ford Grand C-MaxTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

2011
Beats 50%
2012
Beats 52%
2013
Beats 39%
2014
Beats 23%
2015
Beats 24%
2016
Beats 15%
2017
Beats 17%
2018
Beats 2%
2019
Beats 1%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Diesel2011–201593,85466.2%Beats 35%D
1.5 Diesel2015–201972,71674.8%Beats 15%E
2.0 Diesel2011–201755,63968.5%Beats 37%D
1.0 Petrol2013–201942,57875.7%Beats 14%E
1.6 Petrol2011–201426,23267.9%Beats 57%C
1.5 Petrol2019–20191,48279.5%Beats 2%E

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 2.5% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 3.7% of tests fail on suspension, against 7.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 11.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 9.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 10.0% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 6.9% of tests fail on brakes, against 5.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 11.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 9.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights−1.8 ptsTyres: 10.0% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−3.4 ptsBrakes: 6.9% of tests fail on brakes, against 5.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes−1.4 ptsSuspension: 3.7% of tests fail on suspension, against 7.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+3.6 ptsExhaust: 2.5% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust−0.3 ptsSuspension: 3.7% of tests fail on suspension, against 7.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 6.9% of tests fail on brakes, against 5.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 10.0% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 11.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 9.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 2.5% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 11.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 9.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights−1.8 ptsTyres: 10.0% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−3.4 ptsBrakes: 6.9% of tests fail on brakes, against 5.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes−1.4 ptsSuspension: 3.7% of tests fail on suspension, against 7.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+3.6 ptsExhaust: 2.5% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust−0.3 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Tyres: 10.0% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Lights & electrics
11.5% vs 9.7%
Tyres
10.0% vs 6.6%
Brakes
6.9% vs 5.6%
Visibility
5.3% vs 4.3%
Suspension
3.7% vs 7.3%
Body & structure
3.0% vs 2.2%
Emissions & leaks
2.5% vs 2.2%
Seat belts & airbags
0.8% vs 0.6%
Steering
0.5% vs 1.5%
Wheels
0.5% vs 0.4%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Brake pads 2.0× typical
    Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.
  • Tyre damage & cracking 1.6× typical
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • Brake lights 1.9× typical
    Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
  • Windscreen wipers 1.5× typical
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.
  • Tyre pressure warning (TPMS) 2.6× typical
    Make sure no tyre-pressure warning light stays on after start-up.
  • Tyre tread depth
    Check every tyre, including the inner edge, has at least 3 mm of tread. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

50%60%70%80%90%100%0k10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k89%82%76%70%64%60%57%57%
Ford Grand C-MaxTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Tyre damage & cracking5.7%3.6%1.6×
Brake pads4.4%2.2%2.0×
Tyre tread depth3.5%2.7%1.3×
Brake lights3.2%1.7%1.9×
Windscreen wipers3.1%2.1%1.5×
Headlight aim2.8%2.7%1.1×
Sidelights2.2%2.1%1.0×
Drive shaft (CV) joints2.1%1.0%2.1×
Windscreen washers1.9%1.9%1.0×
Headlight bulbs & units1.5%1.8%0.8×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm42.4
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements35.3
A tyre cords visible or damaged30.9
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen30.6
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning30.5
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements28.5
A tyre seriously damaged25.9
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn22.6
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2019 Ford Grand C-Max3 engines76.7% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.0 Petrol2,84474.8%Beats 0%E
1.5 Petrol1,48279.5%Beats 2%E
1.5 Diesel1,05678.0%Beats 4%E
2018 Ford Grand C-Max2 engines75.0% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.0 Petrol9,69974.8%Beats 1%E
1.5 Diesel6,32775.3%Beats 3%E
2017 Ford Grand C-Max3 engines77.9% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Diesel15,01677.0%Beats 16%E
1.0 Petrol9,84679.2%Beats 17%E
2.0 Diesel2,28678.7%Beats 26%D
2016 Ford Grand C-Max3 engines74.5% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Diesel37,97474.1%Beats 14%E
1.0 Petrol8,65975.4%Beats 15%E
2.0 Diesel4,97676.0%Beats 23%D
2015 Ford Grand C-Max4 engines73.4% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Diesel12,34373.8%Beats 26%D
1.6 Diesel10,30270.8%Beats 17%E
2.0 Diesel6,66274.4%Beats 26%D
1.0 Petrol3,79777.3%Beats 39%D
2014 Ford Grand C-Max4 engines68.9% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Diesel24,07367.7%Beats 19%E
2.0 Diesel8,04270.3%Beats 26%D
1.0 Petrol3,00672.5%Beats 39%D
1.6 Petrol1,34472.1%Beats 35%D
2013 Ford Grand C-Max4 engines67.8% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Diesel23,41666.8%Beats 37%D
2.0 Diesel10,71567.7%Beats 35%D
1.0 Petrol4,72772.0%Beats 59%C
1.6 Petrol1,64969.8%Beats 42%C
2012 Ford Grand C-Max3 engines66.7% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Diesel16,81765.2%Beats 49%C
1.6 Petrol8,81170.1%Beats 62%B
2.0 Diesel8,16466.4%Beats 47%C
2011 Ford Grand C-Max3 engines63.5% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Diesel19,24662.2%Beats 47%C
2.0 Diesel14,79462.7%Beats 46%C
1.6 Petrol14,42866.0%Beats 56%C

FAQ

What is the Ford Grand C-Max MOT pass rate?

70.4% of MOT tests on the Ford Grand C-Max were passed first time, based on 292,501 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2011–2019. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 73.5% of the time.

Is the Ford Grand C-Max reliable?

On MOT results it rates D (below average): it passes first time less often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 31% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Ford Grand C-Max year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2012 Grand C-Max does best for its age and mileage: it beats 52% of cars on UK roads. The 2016 does worst: it beats 15%.

Which Ford Grand C-Max engine is best?

Across all years, the 1.6 Petrol does best: it beats 57% of cars on UK roads. The 1.0 Petrol does worst: it beats 14%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Ford Grand C-Max?

The most common failure items are tyre damage & cracking, brake pads, tyre tread depth. Compared with similar cars, brake pads comes up 2.0× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.