2007 Ford C Max — MOT failures & pass rate
38,388 MOT tests on the 2007 Ford C Max are in this dataset, and 71.4% of them passed. That is effectively the same as MPVs of a similar age (29.1% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (16.4%) and suspension (15.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and pins and bushes — headlamp aim alone was recorded 2,780 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 22.7% in the 0-30k band and 32.5% in the 150k+ band, a 9.8-point spread.
The petrol cars hold up better: 28.1% fail against 30.0% for diesel, a 2.0-point gap across 38,388 tests.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 39.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 27.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 29.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.4% | 6,310 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.2% | 5,818 |
| 3 | Tyres | 7.7% | 2,945 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.0% | 2,667 |
| 5 | Brakes | 6.7% | 2,554 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.2% | 1,996 |
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 | 2,780 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 2,645 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 2,113 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 2,086 |
| 5 | Joints | 1,973 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 1,951 |
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 | 39.0% | 14,954 |
| 2 | Tyres | 33.8% | 12,985 |
| 3 | Brakes | 27.8% | 10,656 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 16.0% | 6,154 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.6% | 5,968 |
| 6 | Other defects | 14.1% | 5,430 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 322 | 22.7% |
| 30-60k | 2,150 | 20.5% |
| 60-90k | 9,604 | 26.0% |
| 90-120k | 14,679 | 29.2% |
| 120-150k | 8,622 | 31.3% |
| 150k+ | 2,866 | 32.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 28,289 | 28.1% |
| Diesel | 10,099 | 30.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 10,177 | 27.8% |
| 2022 | 8,943 | 28.1% |
| 2023 | 7,766 | 28.9% |
| 2024 | 6,421 | 29.7% |
| 2025 | 5,081 | 29.3% |
What to check before buying a 2007 C Max
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 16.4% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (16.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (15.2% 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 (7.7% 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 2007 Ford C Maxs pass their MOT?
71.4% of the 38,388 2007 Ford C Max MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Ford C Max?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.4% of tests, followed by suspension (15.2%).
Does the 2007 C Max get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.7% in the 0-30k band to 32.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 38,388 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.