At a Glance
The Ford Focus C-max has 14 identified common problems across 1 generation (2003–2010), with the Mk1 (2003-2010) being the most affected generation and tyres & wheels the most common problem category. Based on 979K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Ford Focus C-max common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Ford Focus C-max generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Ford Focus C-max Generations
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Most Common Ford Focus C-max MOT Failures
Every reason Ford Focus C-max vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 12.21% |
| 2 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 10.63% |
| 3 | Tyre condition | 8.01% |
| 4 | Number plate lamp not working | 7.98% |
| 5 | Brake pads or linings worn | 5.33% |
| 6 | Headlamp aim defect | 5.04% |
| 7 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 4.30% |
| 8 | Windscreen washer not working | 4.13% |
| 9 | Brake performance below minimum | 3.69% |
| 10 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 3.53% |
| 11 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 3.50% |
| 12 | Front lamp not working | 2.51% |
| 13 | Driveshaft fault | 2.40% |
| 14 | Headlamp fault | 2.27% |
| 15 | Stop lamp not working | 2.05% |
| 16 | Exhaust system fault | 1.87% |
| 17 | Position lamp not working | 1.72% |
| 18 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 1.69% |
| 19 | Brake disc or drum worn | 1.40% |
| 20 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 1.19% |
| 21 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 1.15% |
| 22 | Ball joint dust cover split | 1.14% |
| 23 | Rear suspension fault | 0.87% |
| 24 | Seat belt condition | 0.75% |
| 25 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.66% |
| 26 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.65% |
| 27 | Track rod end worn | 0.60% |
| 28 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.57% |
| 29 | ABS fault | 0.56% |
| 30 | Steering rack fault | 0.54% |
| 31 | Indicator fault | 0.50% |
| 32 | Front suspension fault | 0.46% |
| 33 | Airbag warning light on | 0.46% |
| 34 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.30% |
| 35 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.29% |
| 36 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.27% |
| 37 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 0.26% |
| 38 | Fog lamp not working | 0.21% |
| 39 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.21% |
| 40 | Brake caliper fault | 0.20% |
| 41 | Parking brake condition | 0.19% |
| 42 | Rear lamp not working | 0.18% |
| 43 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.18% |
| 44 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.17% |
| 45 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.16% |
| 46 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.16% |
| 47 | Horn not working | 0.15% |
| 48 | Brake pedal fault | 0.13% |
| 49 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.12% |
| 50 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.11% |
| 51 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.11% |
| 52 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.10% |
| 53 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.10% |
| 54 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.09% |
| 55 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.09% |
| 56 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.09% |
| 57 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.08% |
| 58 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.08% |
| 59 | Brake fluid leak | 0.07% |
| 60 | Engine oil leak | 0.06% |
| 61 | Passenger seat fault | 0.06% |
| 62 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.06% |
| 63 | Chassis condition | 0.06% |
| 64 | Brake lever fault | 0.05% |
| 65 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.05% |
| 66 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.05% |
| 67 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.05% |
| 68 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.04% |
| 69 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.04% |
| 70 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.04% |
| 71 | Driver seat fault | 0.04% |
| 72 | Electronic parking brake fault | 0.04% |
| 73 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.04% |
| 74 | Propshaft fault | 0.04% |
| 75 | Power steering pump fault | 0.03% |
| 76 | Front passenger door fault | 0.03% |
| 77 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.03% |
| 78 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.03% |
| 79 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.03% |
| 80 | Driver airbag fault | 0.03% |
| 81 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.03% |
| 82 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.03% |
| 83 | Electric power steering fault | 0.02% |
| 84 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.02% |
| 85 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.02% |
| 86 | Steering arm worn | 0.02% |
| 87 | Steering lock fault | 0.02% |
| 88 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.02% |
| 89 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.02% |
| 90 | Steering free play excessive | 0.02% |
| 91 | Steering operation fault | 0.02% |
| 92 | Suspension unit fault | 0.02% |
| 93 | Power steering ram fault | 0.02% |
| 94 | Driver door fault | 0.02% |
| 95 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.02% |
| 96 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.02% |
| 97 | Electrical switch fault | 0.01% |
| 98 | Body security fault | 0.01% |
| 99 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 100 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | 0.01% |
| 101 | Exhaust leak | 0.01% |
| 102 | Transmission oil leak | 0.01% |
| 103 | Drag link end worn | 0.01% |
| 104 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 105 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 106 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 107 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 108 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 109 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 110 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 111 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 112 | Reversing lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 113 | Steering column fault | <0.01% |
| 114 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 115 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | <0.01% |
| 116 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 117 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 118 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 119 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 120 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 121 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 122 | Subframe mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 123 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 124 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 125 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 126 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 127 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | <0.01% |
| 129 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 130 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Spring mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 135 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 137 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 138 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 139 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 143 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 144 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 145 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 147 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 149 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 150 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 151 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 152 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 153 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 156 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 158 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 161 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 162 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 163 | Seat belt load limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 164 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 165 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 166 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 167 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 168 | Headlamp washer not working | <0.01% |
| 169 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 170 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 171 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 172 | Air suspension levelling valve fault | <0.01% |
| 173 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 174 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 175 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 176 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 177 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 178 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 179 | Leaf spring eye worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 180 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 181 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 182 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 183 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 184 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 185 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
Showing all 185 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Ford Focus C-max MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Ford Focus C-max, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Ford Focus C-max problems?
Based on analysis of 979K Ford Focus C-max MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 14 identified common problems across 1 generation. The most frequently flagged issue is "Headlamp fault". Tyres & Wheels is the most common problem category.
Which Ford Focus C-max generation has the most problems?
The Ford Focus C-max Mk1 (2003-2010) (2003–2010) has the highest number of identified common problems (16). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Ford Focus C-max?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Ford Focus C-max owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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