Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2009 Ford C Max?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2009 Ford C Max?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2009 Ford C Max?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2009 Ford C Max vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

56% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2009 Ford C Max reliable?

Based on MOT data from 8,242 vehicles, the 2009 Ford C Max has a first-time MOT pass rate of 75.8%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2009 Ford C Max?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2009 Ford C Max are: Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (66.4% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (62.1% of vehicles), Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (62.1% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2009 Ford C Max?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

CarHunch

Get Started

Ford C Max (2009)

8,242 real MOT outcomes analysed • 75.8% first-time pass rate

2009 Ford C Max

CarHunch analysed 8,242 real MOT records for the 2009 Ford C Max. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

On this page

AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Petrol vs Diesel Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2009 Ford C-MAX falls short of the UK average with a 75.8% first-time pass rate, and this becomes a real concern given that 55.9% of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect during their MOT history—significantly above what you'd expect. Petrol versions fare marginally better at 76.4% pass rate versus 74.5% for diesel, but both struggle equally with safety issues.

At 64,088 miles median mileage, these C-MAXes have covered a reasonable distance for their age, yet they're still averaging 4.22 failures and 25.5 advisories per test—indicating wear and maintenance problems beyond typical. If you're considering one, have a trusted mechanic inspect the braking, suspension, and electrical systems before purchase, since those tend to accumulate the advisory work on this generation.

The 2009 Ford C Max has a decent first-time pass rate (75.8%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

75.8%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

55.9%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

4.22

Over 16.6 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

64k

Middle half: 51k–78k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 25.5 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 8,242 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 8,242 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Brake wear 66.4%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Tyre wear 62.1%

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Other issues 37.7%

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt · Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components · Oil leak, but not excessive · …

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2009.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 8,242 Ford C Max cars.

Petrol vs Diesel

Pass rate difference of 1.9 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.

76.4%

Petrol

5,413 vehicles

74.5%

Diesel

2,826 vehicles

Before you buy a 2009 Ford C Max

Based on MOT data from 8,242 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 55.9% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (66%)	5,413	76.4%	4.23
Diesel (34%)	2,826	74.5%	4.2

Colour Breakdown

Based on 137,050 Ford C Max vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Blue 25.8%

35,369

Silver 22.9%

31,361

Black 17%

23,256

Grey 12%

16,391

Red 8.8%

12,002

White 8.3%

11,422

Brown 4.7%

6,495

Green 0.3%

395

Orange 0.1%

202

Purple 0%

Bronze 0%

Maroon 0%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2009 Ford C Max vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

64,088

typical

51,237

low mileage

77,700

high mileage

Half of all 2009 Ford C Max vehicles fall between 51,237 and 77,700 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 51,237 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 51,237–77,700 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2009 Ford C Maxs sit.

⚠ Over 104,895 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2009 Ford C Max — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 56% of 2009 Ford C Maxs are still active.

4,451 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 56% of the peak remain.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

16.6

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

4.22

Avg failures per vehicle

25.5

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Ford C Max: All C Max years → Which year to buy? →

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Or browse all models: Ford →

Compare with another model

See how the 2009 Ford C Max stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing