Diesel Ford Focus C-Max: MOT pass rate

58.5% of diesel Ford Focus C-Max pass the MOT first time, measured across 3,926 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 123,002.

Diesel against the other Ford Focus 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 Focus C-Max specifically, petrol is the strongest at 60.7%, and this diesel version sits 1.6 points below the 60.1% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

The diesel Ford Focus C-Max fails more often than the model average, so budget for the items that catch this fuel type and treat a fresh MOT as worth paying for. 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 Focus C-Max had covered 123,002 miles at test, against 104,149 for the petrol. That is high mileage, so timing belts, clutches, suspension bushes and corrosion are the items worth budgeting for rather than the MOT itself.

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 Focus C-Max page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a diesel Ford Focus C-Max

1. Product on the lens or light source which obviously reduces light intensity or changes emitted colour to other than white or yellow, 3.6% of tests (17.31x the national rate for this defect)
2. Headlamp reflector or lens seriously defective or missing, 3.2% of tests (14.74x the national rate for this defect)
3. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 12.6% of tests (5.34x the national rate for this defect)
4. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 3.4% of tests (3.61x the national rate for this defect)
5. A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 5.3% of tests (3.49x the national rate for this defect)
6. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 5.5% of tests (3.31x the national rate for this defect)
7. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 7.3% of tests (3.2x the national rate for this defect)
8. A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 5.7% of tests (3.08x the national rate for this defect)
9. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 3.1% of tests (3.02x the national rate for this defect)
10. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 14.7% of tests (2.93x the national rate for this defect)

From 3,964 DVSA-tracked diesel Ford Focus C-Max tests, 2024, split out from the Ford Focus C-Max's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 4.76% 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 Focus C-Max

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

1. Product on the lens or light source which obviously reduces light intensity or changes emitted colour to other than white or yellow, 8.6% of tests (7.8x the national rate for this defect), also fails
2. A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded, 33.3% of tests (6.43x the national rate for this defect)
3. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 7.8% of tests (5.17x the national rate for this defect)
4. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 22.7% of tests (4.79x the national rate for this defect), also fails
5. Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, 5.3% of tests (4.28x the national rate for this defect)
6. Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 9.3% of tests (3.51x the national rate for this defect)
7. Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements, 4.5% of tests (3.3x the national rate for this defect)
8. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 14.7% of tests (2.64x the national rate for this defect)
9. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 34.2% of tests (2.56x the national rate for this defect), also fails
10. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 6.3% of tests (2.2x the national rate for this defect)

From 3,964 DVSA-tracked diesel Ford Focus C-Max tests, 2024.

Other Ford Focus C-Max fuel types

• Petrol Ford Focus C-Max - 60.7%

All Ford Focus C-Max MOT data · Every model