2005 Ford C Max — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2005 Ford C Max passed 71.9% of its 256 recorded MOT tests. That is 1.9 percentage points better than MPVs of a similar age, which fail at 30.0%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.5% of tests against 15.6% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and position lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 30 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 60-90k one: 37.5% versus 22.0%.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 39.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 28.4% in 2021 to 23.5% in 2024, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.5% | 50 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.6% | 40 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.8% | 20 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.6% | 17 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.6% | 17 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.3% | 11 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 30 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 30 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 19 |
| 4 | Shock absorbers | 13 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 13 |
| 6 | Washers | 10 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 39.1% | 100 |
| 2 | Suspension | 37.5% | 96 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 28.5% | 73 |
| 4 | Brakes | 25.4% | 65 |
| 5 | Other defects | 14.4% | 37 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.1% | 36 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 50 | 22.0% |
| 90-120k | 104 | 26.9% |
| 120-150k | 72 | 37.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 157 | 29.9% |
| Petrol | 99 | 25.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 81 | 28.4% |
| 2022 | 67 | 26.9% |
| 2023 | 47 | 31.9% |
| 2024 | 34 | 23.5% |
What to check before buying a 2005 C Max
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 19.5% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (19.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (15.6% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (7.8% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2005 Ford C Maxs pass their MOT?
71.9% of the 256 2005 Ford C Max MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Ford C Max?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.5% of tests, followed by suspension (15.6%).
Does the 2005 C Max get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.0% in the 60-90k band to 37.5% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 256 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.