2006 Ford Focus C-Max — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 39,276 MOT tests analysed for the 2006 Ford Focus C-Max, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres. Its pass rate of 70.6% was below the average for cars of a similar age (74.4%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 33.5% in the 150k+ group versus 21.4% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.8% | 7,761 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.0% | 5,912 |
| 3 | Tyres | 7.9% | 3,113 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.3% | 2,864 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.1% | 2,782 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.7% | 2,241 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 5,332 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 4,693 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 2,344 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 1,869 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 1,800 |
| 6 | Joints | 1,742 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 39.6% | 15,567 |
| 2 | Tyres | 33.9% | 13,306 |
| 3 | Brakes | 27.9% | 10,961 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 23.8% | 9,354 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.5% | 6,099 |
| 6 | Other defects | 15.3% | 6,021 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 285 | 21.4% |
| 30-60k | 2,687 | 21.4% |
| 60-90k | 9,999 | 26.7% |
| 90-120k | 14,014 | 30.2% |
| 120-150k | 8,634 | 32.4% |
| 150k+ | 3,469 | 33.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 29,303 | 29.2% |
| Diesel | 9,973 | 30.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 11,425 | 29.0% |
| 2022 | 9,369 | 29.1% |
| 2023 | 7,812 | 30.1% |
| 2024 | 6,095 | 29.4% |
| 2025 | 4,575 | 29.9% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Focus C-Max
Before buying a 2006 Ford Focus C-Max, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 19.8% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (19.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (15.0% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Tyres (7.9% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2006 Ford Focus C-Maxs pass their MOT?
70.6% of the 39,276 2006 Ford Focus C-Max MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Ford Focus C-Max?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.8% of tests, followed by suspension (15.0%).
Does the 2006 Focus C-Max get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.4% in the 0-30k band to 33.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 39,276 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.