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Ford Grand C-Max years to avoid? MOT pass rate by year

34,465 initial MOT tests in 2025 on cars first used 2011–2019 · DVSA data · For guidance only · How we count

All 9 Ford Grand C-Max years have MOT pass rates below the average for vehicles first used in the same year.

The MOT pass rate is one signal, not the whole story. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't record gearbox or engine faults, and a pass rate also reflects mileage and upkeep, so the table shows median mileage too. Whatever the year, the car in front of you matters more than its model's average.

65.2%passed first time

First-time pass rate, all years together: initial tests passed with no repairs. 95% range 64.7% to 65.7%.

In 2025, 65.2% of the 34,465 initial MOT tests on Ford Grand C-Max cars were passed with no repairs. The same-age average, for all vehicles first used in the same years, was 70.7%. That is 5.5 points below the same-age average.

Check a specific Grand C-Max

Its own MOT history, free.

Ford Grand C-Max MOT pass rate by year

Year is when the car was first used. Older vehicles fail more often, so each year is compared with all vehicles first used that year.

YearChartTestsmedian milesPassed first timeAgainst all vehicles that year
2019age 61,04841,50075.7%±2.7−7.8 ptsall: 83.5%
2018age 72,72052,20071.7%±1.8−9.2 ptsall: 80.9%
2017age 83,89562,10073.7%±1.5−4.5 ptsall: 78.2%
2016age 96,50273,30067.8%±1.2−7.1 ptsall: 74.9%
2015age 103,69981,40065.9%±1.6−6.0 ptsall: 71.9%
2014age 113,94289,80061.6%±1.6−7.0 ptsall: 68.6%
2013age 124,28097,00061.7%±1.5−4.1 ptsall: 65.8%
2012age 133,586104,30061.0%±1.7−2.5 ptsall: 63.5%
2011age 144,793110,20057.6%±1.5−3.6 ptsall: 61.2%

Tests are initial MOT tests in 2025, not retests. Median miles is the middle odometer reading at the test: half had more, half had less. ± is the 95% margin of error in points (Wilson interval): a difference smaller than that could be chance. Years without a link have fewer than 10,000 tests, so they are listed here but don't have their own page.

When a car's mileage doesn't add up

Does mileage matter?

Ford Grand C-Max first-time pass rates by the mileage at the initial test, all years together, against all vehicles of the same age and mileage.

80.8% of Ford Grand C-Max tests under 30,000 miles passed first time, against 55.5% at 120,000 miles or more. For all vehicles of the same age and mileage, the figures are 87.5% and 61.3%.

Miles at the testTestsPassed first timeAgainst all vehicles, same age and mileage
Under 30,0001,05080.8%±2.5−6.7 ptsall: 87.5%
30,000–59,9997,02276.0%±1.1−3.2 ptsall: 79.2%
60,000–89,99911,80566.1%±0.9−4.2 ptsall: 70.2%
90,000–119,9999,07160.0%±1.1−3.5 ptsall: 63.5%
120,000 or more5,47155.5%±1.4−5.8 ptsall: 61.3%

Against all vehicles of the same age and mileage, Grand C-Max tests were below average in every band shown.

Mileage is only one factor. How a car has been driven and looked after matters too. These figures show an association across all Ford Grand C-Max tests in 2025, not what mileage does to a particular car.

Mileage is the odometer reading at the initial test. Each band is compared with all vehicles first used in the same year with a reading in the same band, weighted by this model's own tests in each year. Bands need at least 1,000 tests. 46 tests (0.1%) had no usable odometer reading and are left out. How we count

Common Grand C-Max problems at the MOT

Share of the 11,981 failed tests with a fault in each area, all years together. A test can count in more than one area, so these add up to more than 100%.

MOT records show roadworthiness faults, not engine or gearbox problems. Each year page compares that year's failure areas with all vehicles first used in the same year.

Most common MOT failures on the Ford Grand C-Max

The defects recorded most often at the 11,981 failed initial tests on Ford Grand C-Max cars, all years together, in the DVSA's own words. Each share is of failed tests, and a failed test can have more than one defect.

DefectShare of failed testsAll vehicles, same age
Brake pads less than 1.5 mm thickBrakes12.5%1,497 tests6.9%
Stop lamp not workingLights and electrics12.1%1,455 tests6.3%
Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirtBody, chassis, structure10.0%1,199 tests4.7%
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mmTyres9.7%1,160 tests8.3%
Tyre has ply or cords exposedTyres9.4%1,132 tests4.7%
Position lamp not workingLights and electrics9.0%1,078 tests7.7%
Tyre pressure monitoring system malfunctioning or obviously inoperativeTyres7.4%890 tests2.5%
Wiper does not clear the windscreen effectivelyWindscreen, wipers, mirrors6.3%754 tests5.8%
Suspension arm pin or bush excessively wornSuspension6.1%735 tests4.8%
Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cordsTyres5.4%647 tests4.6%

These are failures recorded at initial MOT tests in 2025. Retests are not counted. "All vehicles, same age" is the same defect's share of failed tests for all vehicles first used in the same years, weighted by the Grand C-Max's failed tests in each year. How we count

What to check when viewing a Grand C-Max

Based on the areas where Ford Grand C-Max MOT tests fail most often. These are general checks anyone can do, not a mechanical inspection.

  1. Lights and electrics

    In 42.9% of failed Grand C-Max tests

    • Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
    • Look for cracked, misted or yellowed headlight lenses.
    • Warning lights on the dashboard should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts.
  2. Tyres

    In 32.6% of failed Grand C-Max tests

    • Check the tread on every tyre. The legal minimum for cars is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread.
    • Look for cuts, bulges, and wear on only the inner or outer edge, which can point to an alignment problem.
    • Check that the spare wheel or the tyre repair kit is there.
  3. Brakes

    In 22.5% of failed Grand C-Max tests

    • On a clear road, brake firmly. The car should stop in a straight line without juddering or pulling to one side.
    • Check the handbrake holds the car on a slope.
    • Look through the wheels at the brake discs for deep grooves or a raised lip at the edge.
  4. Suspension

    In 16.5% of failed Grand C-Max tests

    • Push down hard on each corner. The car should rise once and settle, not keep bouncing.
    • On the test drive, listen for knocks or clunks over speed bumps and potholes.
    • The car should sit level when parked on flat ground.

Then read the car's own MOT history. Advisories in the same area at several tests are worth asking about.

Check a Grand C-Max's MOT history

After an MOT advisory

Ford Grand C-Max cars that passed their 2024 MOT first time with an advisory, and what their next MOT found, against similar cars that passed with nothing noted in that area. All first-use years together.

Tyres

Of Ford Grand C-Max cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a tyre advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 12.1% failed on tyres, against 9.4% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 5,342 and 12,084 cars.

  • With a tyre advisory12.1%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted9.4%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 10.8% of those with a tyre advisory and 10.5% of the others.

Brakes

Of Ford Grand C-Max cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a brake advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 10.9% failed on brakes, against 5.7% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 3,566 and 13,858 cars.

  • With a brake advisory10.9%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted5.7%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 11.2% of those with a brake advisory and 10.4% of the others.

Suspension

Of Ford Grand C-Max cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a suspension advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 10.0% failed on suspension, against 5.5% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 2,473 and 14,719 cars.

  • With a suspension advisory10.0%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted5.5%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 12.3% of those with a suspension advisory and 10.3% of the others.

Similar cars are the same model, first-use year and mileage band. Areas are the DVSA's top-level groups, so the later fail may not be the fault that was advised. These figures describe what happened to these cars. They don't show what a repair would have changed.

How we worked this outAll models compared, with the data

Ford Grand C-Max questions

Which Ford Grand C-Max years have lower MOT pass rates?

Compared with all vehicles first used in the same year, these model years have below-average MOT pass rates: 2011–2019. None is clearly above average. A pass rate is one signal: it also reflects mileage and upkeep, and doesn't record engine or gearbox faults.

Is the Ford Grand C-Max reliable?

MOT results show only part of the picture. In 2025, 65.2% of initial MOT tests on Ford Grand C-Max cars were passed with no repairs, against a same-age average of 70.7%. That is 5.5 points below average. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't measure breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs.

What are the most common Ford Grand C-Max problems at the MOT?

The most common failure areas are lights and electrics (in 42.9% of failed tests), tyres (in 32.6% of failed tests) and brakes (in 22.5% of failed tests). A failed test can count in more than one area.

What mileage is normal for a 10-year-old Ford Grand C-Max?

At their 2025 MOT tests, Ford Grand C-Max cars first used in 2015, about 10 years old, had a median of 81,400 miles. Half had more and half had less.

How do I check a specific Grand C-Max's MOT history?

Enter its registration in our free check. It lists that car's own MOT results, the faults and advisories recorded and the mileage at each test, and flags repeated advisories and mileage that goes down.

Check a car's MOT history for free

What MOT data can't tell you about any Ford Grand C-Max

Outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and plate changes aren't in MOT records. For a particular car, you need a history check.

Compare history checksWhat MOT history doesn't show

Other Ford models

Points above (+) or below (−) the same-age average for all vehicles.

All 25 Ford modelsCars ranked by MOT pass rate, by age

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests, 2025. For guidance only: these figures describe all Ford Grand C-Max cars tested, not the one you're looking at. How we count