Diesel Ford C-Max: MOT pass rate

75.6% of diesel Ford C-Max pass the MOT first time, measured across 56,255 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 84,673.

Diesel against the other Ford C-Max versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Diesels carry DPFs, EGR valves and stricter smoke limits, so emissions and exhaust faults account for failures petrol cars never see.

On the Ford C-Max specifically, diesel is the strongest at 75.6%, and this diesel version sits 0.4 points above the 75.2% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

There is little to choose between fuel types on this model, so decide on running costs and mileage rather than MOT record. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.

Mileage is part of the answer

The average diesel Ford C-Max had covered 84,673 miles at test, against 76,728 for the petrol. That is above average, the point where suspension bushes, drop links and exhaust corrosion start showing up as advisories before they become failures.

Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the Ford C-Max page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a diesel Ford C-Max

1. Smoke opacity levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limit, 1.9% of tests (7.04x the national rate for this defect)
2. A tyre pressure monitoring system malfunctioning or obviously inoperative, 1.2% of tests (4.32x the national rate for this defect)
3. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 3.4% of tests (2x the national rate for this defect)
4. A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 2.8% of tests (1.85x the national rate for this defect)
5. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 3.8% of tests (1.79x the national rate for this defect)
6. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 4.1% of tests (1.3x the national rate for this defect)
7. Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 1.7% of tests (1.27x the national rate for this defect)
8. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 4.4% of tests
9. A tyre seriously damaged, 3.1% of tests
10. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 2.2% of tests

From 56,512 DVSA-tracked diesel Ford C-Max tests, 2024, split out from the Ford C-Max's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 6.75% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a diesel Ford C-Max

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements, 2.6% of tests (1.91x the national rate for this defect)
2. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 15% of tests (1.6x the national rate for this defect), also fails
3. A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded, 8.1% of tests (1.56x the national rate for this defect)
4. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 20.3% of tests (1.52x the national rate for this defect), also fails
5. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 38.7% of tests (1.45x the national rate for this defect), also fails
6. Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution., 1.1% of tests (1.35x the national rate for this defect)
7. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 15.3% of tests (1.25x the national rate for this defect)
8. A tyre seriously damaged, 14.9% of tests, also fails
9. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 5.3% of tests
10. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 3.9% of tests

From 56,512 DVSA-tracked diesel Ford C-Max tests, 2024.

Other Ford C-Max fuel types

• Petrol Ford C-Max - 74.7%

All Ford C-Max MOT data · Every model