Ford C Max (2008)
2008 Ford C Max
CarHunch analysed 19,740 real MOT records for the 2008 Ford C Max. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2008 Ford C-MAX has a first-time MOT pass rate of 74.7%, notably below the UK average of 80%, and this is compounded by a serious concern: 56.4% of these vehicles have recorded at least one dangerous defect during their MOT history. Petrol and diesel versions perform similarly poorly (75.2% and 73.7% pass rates respectively), so fuel type won't save you here.
At a median mileage of 66,419 miles for a 16-year-old car, these C-MAXs are fairly typical in wear, yet they're averaging 4.54 failures and 27.2 advisories per test—suggesting systematic weaknesses rather than isolated issues. Before buying one, get a thorough pre-purchase inspection focused on the common failure areas this cohort reveals, and budget for repairs rather than assuming you'll pass straight through the next MOT.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 1.5 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2008 Ford C Max
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 56.4% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Ford C Max
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (65%) | 12,928 | 75.2% | 4.61 |
| Diesel (34%) | 6,809 | 73.7% | 4.41 |
| LPG (0%) | 3 | 73.4% | 4 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2008 Ford C Max vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2008 Ford C Max vehicles fall between 53,727 and 79,240 miles.
2008 Ford C Max — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 8,087 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (43% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2008 Ford C Max
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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62.1%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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60.8%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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53.2%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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51.9%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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47.2%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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43.5%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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39.5%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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37.7%
Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2008. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Ford C Max?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.