2011 Ford Focus C-Max petrol: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the petrol Ford Focus C-Max first registered in 2011 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 135 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
Small sample: there were only 135 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.
Common 2011 Ford Focus C-Max petrol MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2011 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.
- Tyres39% 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.
- Brakes30% 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.
- Suspension27% 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.
- Lights and electrics23% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors9% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
- Exhaust and emissions4% 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.
Known faults on the 2011 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.
- Early 1.0 EcoBoost petrol
Coolant pipe that can split (early 1.0 EcoBoost)
On early 1.0 EcoBoost Focuses a small plastic coolant pipe could split and overheat the engine. Ford issued a fix.
At the viewing: Ask whether the coolant pipe fix was done, and check the coolant level.
- Automatic versions only
PowerShift automatic gearbox
Expert buying guides suggest avoiding the PowerShift automatic on this Focus. Early versions especially were troublesome.
At the viewing: If it’s an automatic, ask for proof of gearbox fluid changes and test it in slow traffic for judder or hesitation.
Broken front coil springs
Front springs can snap. You may hear a clonk when turning the wheel.
At the viewing: With the car stopped, turn the steering from lock to lock and listen for a clonk or twang. Springs should be replaced in pairs.
If it needs doing: Coil springs (pair), about £175–£400. ClickMechanic
Rattle from the flywheel
A rattle as you switch the engine off can mean the dual-mass flywheel is failing, which is a big job alongside the clutch.
At the viewing: Switch the engine off and listen for a rattle. Check the clutch doesn’t bite very high.
If it needs doing: Clutch and dual-mass flywheel, about £650–£1,200. ClickMechanic
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2011 Ford Focus C-Max petrol
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Has the Ford fix for the coolant pipe on the 1.0 EcoBoost been done?
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a Ford Focus C-Max?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Other years
Every year of the Ford Focus C-Max compared
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 320 | Suspension 51% |
| 2009 | 712 | Suspension 48% |
| 2008 | 1,859 | Suspension 50% |
| 2007 | 9,035 | Suspension 52% |
| 2006 | 13,699 | Suspension 53% |
| 2005 | 9,651 | Suspension 56% |
| 2004 | 7,086 | Suspension 58% |
| 2003 | 495 | Suspension 53% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Ford Focus C-Max cars first registered in 2011. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score