2006 Ford C Max — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,383 MOT tests, the 2006 Ford C Max recorded a 70.8% pass rate. MPVs of a similar age fail at 29.7%, so the 2006 C Max sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 20.5% of all tests — 4.4 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and pins and bushes — headlamp aim alone was recorded 331 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 17.6% in the 30-60k band and 31.3% in the 150k+ band, a 13.7-point spread.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 3.3pp more often than petrol ones (30.2% vs 26.9%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 40.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 29.6% in 2021 to 25.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.5% | 489 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.1% | 383 |
| 3 | Tyres | 9.3% | 221 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.8% | 185 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.3% | 150 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.5% | 107 |
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 | 331 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 280 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 145 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 133 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 125 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 106 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 40.3% | 960 |
| 2 | Tyres | 32.9% | 785 |
| 3 | Brakes | 28.4% | 676 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 22.3% | 531 |
| 5 | Other defects | 15.6% | 371 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 14.1% | 336 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 102 | 17.6% |
| 60-90k | 362 | 26.2% |
| 90-120k | 842 | 29.2% |
| 120-150k | 694 | 31.0% |
| 150k+ | 361 | 31.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 1,688 | 30.2% |
| Petrol | 695 | 26.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 724 | 29.6% |
| 2022 | 599 | 28.2% |
| 2023 | 480 | 30.4% |
| 2024 | 356 | 30.9% |
| 2025 | 224 | 25.9% |
What to check before buying a 2006 C Max
On a 2006 C Max, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 20.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (20.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.1% 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.
- Tyres (9.3% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 2006 Ford C Maxs pass their MOT?
70.8% of the 2,383 2006 Ford C Max MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Ford C Max?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.5% of tests, followed by suspension (16.1%).
Does the 2006 C Max get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.6% in the 30-60k band to 31.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,383 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.