2012 Ford C-Max MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 63.4% of Ford C-Max cars first used in 2012 passed their MOT first time, against 63.5% for all cars first used in 2012. Across 32,739 C-Max first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, suspension and tyres.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Ford C-Max cars first used in 2012 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2012 Ford C-Max MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, C-Max cars first used in 2012 against all cars first used in 2012 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the C-Max figure was in line with the all-cars figure.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2012 C-Max | All cars first used 2012 | C-Max first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 74.6% | 68.8% | 11,431 |
| 2022 | 71.6% | 67.4% | 11,393 |
| 2023 | 69.2% | 65.6% | 11,234 |
| 2024 | 66.7% | 64.3% | 10,948 |
| 2025 | 63.4% | 63.5% | 10,557 |
Common 2012 Ford C-Max MOT failures
Share of the 10,967 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | 11.7% | 1,287 |
| Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | 10.3% | 1,134 |
| Stop lamp: not working | 9.7% | 1,067 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 9.6% | 1,049 |
| Tyre condition: has ply or cords exposed | 7.8% | 850 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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What to check on a 2012 Ford C-Max before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
Common 2012 Ford C-Max MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2012 C-Max cars, as a share of all 32,739 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 22.0% | 7,191 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | 16.1% | 5,274 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 12.8% | 4,202 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 12.8% | 4,195 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 9.7% | 3,169 |
Questions about the 2012 Ford C-Max MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2012 Ford C-Max?
In 2025, 63.4% of C-Max cars first used in 2012 passed their MOT first time, against 63.5% for all cars first used in 2012. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2012 C-Max most often fail its MOT on?
Lamps and electrical equipment (in 39.4% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), suspension (29.0%) and tyres (26.0%). The single most common item was “Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick” (11.7%).
How often does a 2012 Ford C-Max fail its MOT?
In 2025, 36.6% of first tests on C-Max cars first used in 2012 did not pass first time: 30.0% failed, and a further 6.6% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 10,967 of 32,739 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2012 Ford C-Max MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 22.0% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement” (16.1%), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (12.8%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (12.8%) and “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (9.7%).
Is a 2012 Ford C-Max reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 74.6% in 2021 to 63.4% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2012
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2012 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2012 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2012 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2012 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2012 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2012 C-Max?
The numbers above cover every C-Max first used in 2012 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
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