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Ford C-MAX C214 (1st gen) (2003-2009) reliability

At a glance

Ford C-MAX C214 (1st gen) built around 2008: more dangerous faults than average

Testers find a dangerous fault on Ford C-MAX C214 (1st gen) models built around 2008 more often than on similar cars the same age. Look closely at the tyres on any car you view. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Looking at a Ford C-MAX C214 (1st gen) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

11% of MOT tests on Ford C-MAX C214 (1st gen) models built around 2008 found a fault the tester marked as dangerous, against 8% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Ford C-MAX C214 (1st gen) models built around 2008 involves the tyres.

Ford C-MAX C214 (1st gen)
No reliability rating: too close to call between ratings2003-2009MPVDIESEL / PETROL

Based on 24,143 tests of C-MAX models registered 2003-2009.

About 1 in 12 C-MAX C214 (1st gen) MOTs (8.1%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2008 (17 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 10,098 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 9 C-MAX C214 (1st gen) MOTs (10.7%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2008 (17 years old).

Based on 10,098 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

C214 (1st gen) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
2,68431.4%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
9,05932.5%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
10,09833.6%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
2,20133.7%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
10131.7%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 18 years old.

How the C-MAX C214 (1st gen) compares

At each age below, see how the C-MAX C214 (1st gen) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 168,590 tests across 11 Ford models, built around 2008 (17 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateFord average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
2,68431.4%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
9,05932.5%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
10,09833.6%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
2,20133.7%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
10131.7%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Independent inspection

High priority

Have an independent specialist inspect the car before you commit.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Suspension springs

Worth checking

Check ride height is even side-to-side and look for cracked or rusted coils.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

Other people carriers to compare

Other people carriers, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the C-MAX C214 (1st gen).

  1. 1

    Toyota Estima

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    21.1%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.5%
    Dangerous
    5.4%

    Lower fail rate: 21.1%, against 33.6% for the Ford C-MAX C214 (1st gen), both built around 2008.

    1,330 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

  2. 2

    Toyota Alphard

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    21%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6.2%
    Dangerous
    5.6%

    Lower fail rate: 21.0%, against 33.6% for the Ford C-MAX C214 (1st gen), both built around 2008.

    2,023 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

  3. 3

    Nissan Elgrand

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    23.1%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    8.5%
    Dangerous
    8.2%

    Lower fail rate: 23.1%, against 33.6% for the Ford C-MAX C214 (1st gen), both built around 2008.

    2,345 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

  4. 4

    Volkswagen Caddy

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    29.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    9.4%
    Dangerous
    6.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    88.8%

    Lower fail rate: 29.5%, against 33.6% for the Ford C-MAX C214 (1st gen), both built around 2008.

    6,217 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

How many are still registered

95%of all Ford C-MAX cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later. This is the whole model, not only this generation.

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · About typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

28 recalls in all

9 of the 28 C-MAX C214 (1st gen) recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 3 Critical
  • 6 more

Top concerns

  • Fire may occur
  • Risk of fire
  • Failure of power steering hose could result in an engine bay fire

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

What has gone wrong on C-MAX C214 (1st gen) cars built around 2008

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 983 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
66%
Drivetrain
28%
Steering
24%
Emissions
23%
Bodywork
3%

Wear items

Tyres
64%
Lighting
57%
Brakes
46%

Rust, which the MOT calls corrosion: 19% of these cars show rust-related issues at this age.

Check the sills, subframe and brake pipes before you decide.

How C-MAX C214 (1st gen) cars have aged

How C-MAX C214 (1st gen) cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%30%1213141516171819Age at MOTBuilt around 2009, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 29.8% (6,088 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2009, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 30.1% (5,583 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2009, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 31.1% (5,125 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2009, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 31.7% (4,523 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2009, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 32.3% (3,842 tests, 2025 data)2009Built around 2008, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 31.5% (13,102 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2008, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 31.5% (11,536 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2008, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 32.5% (10,204 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2008, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 32.6% (8,409 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2008, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 33.5% (6,754 tests, 2025 data)2008Built around 2007, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 31.8% (4,571 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2007, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 31.7% (3,856 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2007, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 32.7% (3,287 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2007, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 33.8% (2,659 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2007, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 33.9% (2,078 tests, 2025 data)2007Built around 2006, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 33.6% (405 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2006, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 32.7% (315 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2006, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 30.1% (186 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2006, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 31.5% (130 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2006, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 31.4% (86 tests, 2025 data)2006
First registered around 2009First registered around 2008First registered around 2007First registered around 2006
C214 (1st gen) variants compared

C-MAX C214 (1st gen) variants built around 2008

The fail rate for each C-MAX C214 (1st gen) variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Petrol

  • C-MAX33.4%7,985 tests

Diesel

  • C-MAX34.4%2,113 tests
All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common issues on Ford C-MAX models of this age

This list covers every Ford C-MAX built around 2008, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the C214 (1st gen) on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    31.0%
    Advisory: 4,462Fail: 318 (7% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    23.7%
    Advisory: 2,999Fail: 817 (21% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Suspension part corroded, but not seriously weakened

    20.1%
    Advisory: 3,680Fail: 80 (2% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Coil spring corroded

    17.1%
    Advisory: 2,324Fail: 478 (17% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    16.1%
    Advisory: 2,194Fail: 37 (2% of the times it was found)

Based on 10,098 tests

Looking at a Ford C-MAX C214 (1st gen) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2008 (17 years old), the Ford C-MAX C214 (1st gen) (2003-2009) fails MOTs slightly more often than typical for this age. This is based on 10,098 17-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 24,143 MOT tests on Ford C-MAX models first registered between 2003-2009. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.