2010 Ford C Max — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 41,705 MOT tests, the 2010 Ford C Max recorded a 74.7% pass rate. That is effectively the same as MPVs of a similar age (25.8% 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 (14.6%) and suspension (12.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, headlamp and headlamp aim — pins and bushes alone was recorded 1,983 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 21.1% in the 0-30k band and 29.4% in the 150k+ band, a 8.2-point spread.
The petrol cars hold up better: 24.0% fail against 27.6% for diesel, a 3.6-point gap across 41,705 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 33.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 23.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 26.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.6% | 6,106 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.1% | 5,056 |
| 3 | Tyres | 7.5% | 3,125 |
| 4 | Brakes | 4.9% | 2,022 |
| 5 | Steering | 4.6% | 1,909 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.9% | 1,641 |
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 | 1,983 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 1,856 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 1,816 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 1,815 |
| 5 | Steering rack | 1,740 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 1,651 |
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 | 33.4% | 13,937 |
| 2 | Suspension | 30.7% | 12,785 |
| 3 | Brakes | 23.9% | 9,986 |
| 4 | Other defects | 14.1% | 5,885 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 11.3% | 4,701 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.6% | 3,598 |
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 | 596 | 21.1% |
| 30-60k | 5,242 | 18.5% |
| 60-90k | 14,817 | 23.8% |
| 90-120k | 13,720 | 27.6% |
| 120-150k | 5,484 | 29.1% |
| 150k+ | 1,665 | 29.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 26,228 | 24.0% |
| Diesel | 15,477 | 27.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 9,207 | 23.8% |
| 2022 | 8,868 | 24.1% |
| 2023 | 8,617 | 25.8% |
| 2024 | 7,930 | 26.5% |
| 2025 | 7,083 | 26.8% |
What to check before buying a 2010 C Max
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 14.6% of tests. Start there.
- 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 (12.1% 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 (7.5% 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 2010 Ford C Maxs pass their MOT?
74.7% of the 41,705 2010 Ford C Max MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Ford C Max?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.6% of tests, followed by suspension (12.1%).
Does the 2010 C Max get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.1% in the 0-30k band to 29.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 41,705 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.