2018 Ford C-Max MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 80.1% of Ford C-Max cars first used in 2018 passed their MOT first time, against 80.9% for all cars first used in 2018. Across 14,590 C-Max first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were tyres, visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen) and lamps and electrical equipment.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Ford C-Max cars first used in 2018 (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 2018 Ford C-Max MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, C-Max cars first used in 2018 against all cars first used in 2018 (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 | 2018 C-Max | All cars first used 2018 | C-Max first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 84.8% | 87.6% | 5,047 |
| 2022 | 84.2% | 86.3% | 4,950 |
| 2023 | 83.5% | 84.2% | 4,903 |
| 2024 | 83.0% | 82.5% | 4,870 |
| 2025 | 80.1% | 80.9% | 4,817 |
Common 2018 Ford C-Max MOT failures
Share of the 2,597 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | 20.1% | 522 |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | 15.6% | 404 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 9.8% | 255 |
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction | 8.7% | 225 |
| Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 8.4% | 218 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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What to check on a 2018 Ford C-Max before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
- Wipers and windscreen. Worth checking that the wipers clear the screen cleanly, that the washers work, and that there are no chips or cracks in the driver’s view.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
Common 2018 Ford C-Max MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2018 C-Max cars, as a share of all 14,590 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 17.3% | 2,521 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 13.1% | 1,906 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 10.4% | 1,521 |
| Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt | 3.4% | 502 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 2.9% | 417 |
Questions about the 2018 Ford C-Max MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2018 Ford C-Max?
In 2025, 80.1% of C-Max cars first used in 2018 passed their MOT first time, against 80.9% for all cars first used in 2018. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2018 C-Max most often fail its MOT on?
Tyres (in 31.4% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen) (25.2%) and lamps and electrical equipment (22.1%). The single most common item was “Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively” (20.1%).
How often does a 2018 Ford C-Max fail its MOT?
In 2025, 19.9% of first tests on C-Max cars first used in 2018 did not pass first time: 16.2% failed, and a further 3.7% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 2,597 of 14,590 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2018 Ford C-Max MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 17.3% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (13.1%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (10.4%), “Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt” (3.4%) and “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (2.9%).
Is a 2018 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 84.8% in 2021 to 80.1% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2018
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2018 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2018 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2018 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2018 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2018 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2018 C-Max?
The numbers above cover every C-Max first used in 2018 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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