2008 Ford C-Max — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 80,434 MOT tests analysed for the 2008 Ford C-Max, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres. Its pass rate of 72.1% was in line with the average for MPVs of a similar age (71.7%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 31.8% in the 150k+ group versus 19.8% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.6% | 11,721 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.8% | 11,060 |
| 3 | Tyres | 7.6% | 6,120 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.5% | 5,262 |
| 5 | Brakes | 6.4% | 5,152 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.9% | 3,940 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pins and bushes | 4,641 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 4,111 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 3,924 |
| 4 | Joints | 3,861 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 3,761 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 3,728 |
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 | 36.5% | 29,393 |
| 2 | Tyres | 33.9% | 27,297 |
| 3 | Brakes | 26.7% | 21,444 |
| 4 | Other defects | 15.2% | 12,210 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.4% | 11,604 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 10.9% | 8,805 |
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 | 430 | 19.8% |
| 30-60k | 5,620 | 20.2% |
| 60-90k | 22,641 | 25.4% |
| 90-120k | 30,844 | 29.0% |
| 120-150k | 15,745 | 31.1% |
| 150k+ | 5,011 | 31.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 59,253 | 27.5% |
| Diesel | 21,181 | 29.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 20,398 | 27.1% |
| 2022 | 18,351 | 27.2% |
| 2023 | 16,547 | 28.2% |
| 2024 | 13,907 | 29.0% |
| 2025 | 11,231 | 28.9% |
What to check before buying a 2008 C-Max
Before buying a 2008 Ford C-Max, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 14.6% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (14.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.8% 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 (7.6% 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 2008 Ford C-Maxs pass their MOT?
72.1% of the 80,434 2008 Ford C-Max MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Ford C-Max?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.6% of tests, followed by suspension (13.8%).
Does the 2008 C-Max get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.8% in the 0-30k band to 31.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 80,434 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.