Practical seven-seater with clever sliding rear doors
The Grand C-Max (2010-2019) was Ford's seven-seat MPV with signature rear sliding doors, slotting above the five-seat C-Max. With production ending in March 2019, used examples are now available from £5,000-£10,000 for 2015-2018 models. It competes with the Citroen Grand C4 Picasso and Vauxhall Zafira Tourer but offers sharper driving dynamics than both. The 2015 facelift improved the interior significantly. Depreciation is steep but that benefits used buyers seeking maximum practicality per pound.
We track 5 known issues across the Ford Grand-C-MAX range, with 1 classified as significant. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Ford Grand-C-MAX? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
C344 (2010–2019) — Petrol options included the 1.0 EcoBoost, 1.0 EcoBoost, 1.5 EcoBoost, 1.6 Ti-VCT, with 1.5 TDCi, 1.6 TDCi, 2.0 TDCi on the diesel side. We track 5 known issues on this generation, with 1 classified as significant. The most significant concern is Diesel exhaust emissions excessive (£800–£2,000 to address).
Ford Grand C-Max diesel models show exceptional rates of MOT emissions failures, particularly smoke opacity levels that exceed manufacturer limits by up to This indicates widespread diesel particulate filter (DPF) blockage and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve carbon contamination across 1.5 and 1.6-litre TDCi engines. The issue affects vehicles from relatively low mileage and worsens with age, suggesting inadequate regeneration cycles and carbon build-up in the exhaust aftertreatment system.
DPF replacement costs £1,500-£2,500 fitted. EGR valve cleaning or replacement adds £300-£800. Complete failure makes the vehicle illegal to drive and impossible to pass an MOT test. Continued driving with a blocked DPF can damage the turbocharger and engine.
Ask about the car's typical usage — short urban journeys prevent DPF regeneration. Check for DPF warning lights and ask about any previous regeneration issues. A forced regeneration at a garage costs far less than a DPF replacement.
The Grand C-Max demonstrates exceptionally high rates of suspension component wear, failing MOT tests at up to 16.1 times the fleet average for worn suspension pins, bushes and joints. The issue affects all engine variants and appears from relatively low mileage, suggesting undersized or poor-quality rubber components in the front suspension assembly. Anti-roll bar drop links and lower arm bushes are particularly susceptible to premature deterioration.
Worn suspension bushes cause poor handling, increased tyre wear, and MOT failure. Individual bush replacement costs £50-£150 per corner depending on location. Complete front suspension refresh can cost £400-£800. The vehicle remains safe to drive with minor bush wear but handling deteriorates progressively.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
Diesel Grand C-Max models show elevated failure rates for CV joint boot deterioration at up to 9 times the fleet average, particularly affecting 2.0-litre TDCi variants. The protective rubber boots that seal the constant velocity joints split or perish, allowing dirt and water ingress that leads to joint wear and eventual failure. This appears to be exacerbated by the higher torque output of diesel engines placing additional stress on the driveshaft components.
A split CV boot allows water and dirt to contaminate the joint, leading to expensive driveshaft replacement within 6-12 months if not repaired. Boot replacement costs £80-£150 per side if caught early. Complete CV joint or driveshaft replacement costs £200-£400 per side. The car remains driveable but the joint will deteriorate rapidly once contaminated.
Listen for clunking or vibration from underneath when pulling away or changing direction. Check for play in the driveshafts by rocking the car in gear with the handbrake on. Worn CV boots are a telltale sign — look for grease splatter around the inner wheel arch.
Grand C-Max models experience engine management light illumination at up to 8.5 times the fleet average, particularly affecting 1.0 EcoBoost petrol engines. This typically indicates faults within the emissions control system including lambda sensors, mass airflow sensors, or EGR valve issues on diesel variants. The problem appears across all mileage ranges and has been worsening in recent MOT data, suggesting component reliability issues rather than age-related wear.
Engine management light illumination causes automatic MOT failure. Sensor replacement typically costs £100-£300 depending on the specific component. Continued driving is usually safe but fuel economy may suffer and further sensor damage can occur. The underlying cause must be diagnosed with an OBD scanner to identify the specific fault code.
Check for any engine warning lights on the dashboard. Ask about the car's MOT emissions history — repeated failures suggest underlying issues. A pre-purchase diagnostic scan is especially worthwhile to check for stored emissions fault codes.
The Grand C-Max shows elevated brake pad wear rates at up to 5.4 times the fleet average across all engine variants and mileage bands. This appears to be related to the vehicle's weight distribution and braking system calibration rather than a specific component fault. The pattern suggests that brake pads require more frequent replacement than on comparable vehicles, increasing running costs for owners.
Worn brake pads cause MOT failure and can damage the brake discs if left unchanged, increasing repair costs from £150 to £400+. The vehicle becomes unsafe to drive once pads are completely worn. Regular monitoring and replacement every 25,000-35,000 miles is typically required.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Ford Grand-C-MAX common problems page.
Based on 195k real DVSA MOT tests, the Ford Grand-C-MAX fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is tyre wear or damage at 46x the fleet average, followed by light unit fault (31x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Ford Grand-C-MAX MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 13k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.
See the full Ford Grand-C-MAX service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Ford Grand-C-MAX is a reasonable used buy provided you check for the issues outlined above. None of the problems we track are insurmountable, but they do reward buyers who inspect thoroughly and verify the service history before committing. 2015-2018 post-facelift models with the 1.5 TDCi diesel and six-speed manual gearbox are the best combination: improved interior, reliable engine, and no PowerShift risk. The 1.0 EcoBoost petrol suits lower-mileage users. Avoid any Grand C-Max with the PowerShift automatic unless it has documented fluid change history every three years. Early 2010-2013 models have more electrical niggles and a less refined cabin. The final 2018-2019 cars are the most polished but command higher prices.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Ford Grand-C-MAX, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 5 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 5 known Ford Grand-C-MAX issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.