2009 Ford C-Max MOT pass rate: 64.8% (15,886 tests)
Is the 2009 C-Max getting worse?
Pass rate of 2009-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 66.2% -0.7 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 64.1% -2.0 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 63.8% -2.3 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2009 C-Max
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 4,063 | 25.9% |
| 2 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 3,180 | 20.2% |
| 3 | Tyres | 2,095 | 13.3% |
| 4 | Brakes | 1,623 | 10.3% |
| 5 | Steering | 1,303 | 8.3% |
| 6 | Body, chassis, structure | 1,291 | 8.2% |
All C-Max years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 14,162 | 60.7% | -4.4 pts | 107,002 |
| 2008 | 30,711 | 61.5% | -3.6 pts | 102,923 |
| 2009 (this page) | 15,886 | 64.8% | -1.6 pts | 98,626 |
| 2010 | 17,671 | 65.1% | -2.2 pts | 94,395 |
| 2011 | 30,857 | 71.3% | +2.2 pts | 93,094 |
| 2012 | 32,362 | 73.0% | +1.8 pts | 85,969 |
| 2013 | 40,639 | 77.3% | +3.9 pts | 80,063 |
| 2014 | 37,461 | 77.8% | +1.9 pts | 71,408 |
| 2015 | 33,794 | 81.3% | +2.6 pts | 63,187 |
| 2016 | 31,341 | 84.7% | +3.4 pts | 53,218 |
| 2017 | 23,785 | 87.1% | +3.1 pts | 45,061 |
| 2018 | 14,307 | 85.8% | -0.5 pts | 34,422 |
| 2019 | 7,865 | 87.5% | -0.9 pts | 26,034 |
Weighing up which year to buy? See the full ranking: Ford C-Max years to avoid.
- Free MOT history checkThe exact car’s failures, advisories and mileage trail — sellers can’t edit it
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- Autel UK testersAutel professional-grade diagnostic testers
FAQs
Is a 2009 Ford C-Max reliable?
2009-registered examples passed 64.8% of their MOT tests (15,886 tests, 2023–2025), -1.6 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 17 years old with a median 98,626 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2009 C-Max?
The median tested example shows 98,626 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Should I buy the petrol or diesel 2009 C-Max?
In this cohort petrols pass 66.2% of tests against 60.6% for diesels. Mileage and use can explain part of that gap, so treat it as a reason to inspect DPF and emissions history, not a fuel-type verdict.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.