2008 Ford Focus C-Max petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2008 Ford Focus C-Max petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2008 Ford Focus C-Max petrol than on all cars registered in 2008.

• Brake pads1.7× usual
  Ford Focus C-Max

  15.3% All 2008 cars

  8.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 2.2% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

• Steering rack6.8× usual
  Ford Focus C-Max

  6.8% All 2008 cars

  1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.2%, against 0.6% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints1.9× usual
  Ford Focus C-Max

  12.8% All 2008 cars

  6.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6%, against 3% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

• Suspension arm2.4× usual
  Ford Focus C-Max

  7.2% All 2008 cars

  3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.4% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Individual direction indicators1.8× usual
  Ford Focus C-Max

  5.7% All 2008 cars

  3.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 1.4% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Common 2008 Ford Focus C-Max petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2008 Ford Focus C-Max petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  48% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Tyres
  40% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Brakes
  33% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Lights and electrics
  32% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Exhaust and emissions
  14% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for an engine warning light.

• Driveshafts and joints
  13% of testsRough price £60–£350

  At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Known faults on the 2008 Ford Focus C-Max petrol

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Eight recalls

  All engines

  Recalls covered the electronic parking brake, wipers, fuel leaks, an engine failure risk (2006), brakes (2007 and 2009), power steering and a fire risk on some cars.

  At the viewing: Run the free DVSA recall check on the reg.

  Source: Carbuyer: used Ford C-MAX buying guide (2003-2010)

• Cambelt due (1.6 engines)

  1.6 petrol and diesel

  The 1.6 petrol needs a cambelt every 8 years or 100,000 miles, and the 1.6 diesel every 10 years or 125,000 miles. The 1.8 and 2.0 petrols use chains.

  At the viewing: Check the service history for a cambelt change.

  Source: Carbuyer: used Ford C-MAX buying guide (2003-2010)

• Clutch failure

  Manual gearbox

  Clutch failure is common and expensive to fix.

  At the viewing: Accelerate hard through the gears; if the revs rise without the car speeding up, the clutch is slipping.

  Source: Carbuyer: used Ford C-MAX buying guide (2003-2010)

• Creaking front suspension and air con leaks

  All engines

  Dried-out front bushes creak and groan, and air con that won't cool may have a costly leak.

  At the viewing: Listen for creaks over speed bumps and check the air con blows cold.

  Source: Carbuyer: used Ford C-MAX buying guide (2003-2010)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2008 Ford Focus C-Max petrol

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Has all the recall work been done?
2. When was the cambelt last changed?
3. Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2008 Ford Focus C-Max petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the steering rack? (Flagged at MOT 6.8× as often on the 2008 Ford Focus C-Max petrol as on other cars the same age.)
5. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2008 Ford Focus C-Max petrol as on other cars the same age.)
6. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?