2009 Ford C Max — MOT failures & pass rate
39,243 MOT tests on the 2009 Ford C Max are in this dataset, and 74.0% of them passed. MPVs of a similar age fail 27.1% of the time, so this is 1.1pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (14.7%) and suspension (12.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, position lamp and headlamp aim — pins and bushes alone was recorded 2,513 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 31.3% versus 19.7%.
The petrol cars hold up better: 25.1% fail against 28.3% for diesel, a 3.2-point gap across 39,243 tests.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 34.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 25.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 27.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.7% | 5,752 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.2% | 4,792 |
| 3 | Tyres | 7.7% | 3,019 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.2% | 2,030 |
| 5 | Brakes | 5.1% | 1,984 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.8% | 1,889 |
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 | 2,513 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 1,798 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 1,761 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 1,742 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 1,741 |
| 6 | Steering rack | 1,687 |
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 | 34.6% | 13,568 |
| 2 | Tyres | 32.9% | 12,921 |
| 3 | Brakes | 25.0% | 9,795 |
| 4 | Other defects | 14.9% | 5,846 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.8% | 4,643 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 8.1% | 3,196 |
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 | 568 | 19.7% |
| 30-60k | 3,738 | 18.3% |
| 60-90k | 12,313 | 24.1% |
| 90-120k | 14,047 | 27.4% |
| 120-150k | 6,423 | 30.0% |
| 150k+ | 1,898 | 31.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 28,199 | 25.1% |
| Diesel | 11,044 | 28.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 9,356 | 25.3% |
| 2022 | 8,655 | 25.2% |
| 2023 | 7,985 | 25.8% |
| 2024 | 7,158 | 26.9% |
| 2025 | 6,089 | 27.4% |
What to check before buying a 2009 C Max
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 14.7% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (14.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.2% 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 2009 Ford C Maxs pass their MOT?
74.0% of the 39,243 2009 Ford C Max MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Ford C Max?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.7% of tests, followed by suspension (12.2%).
Does the 2009 C Max get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.7% in the 0-30k band to 31.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 39,243 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.