In-depth reviews

Ford C-MAX owner reviews

"The Ford C-MAX is a five-seat MPV, which is good to drive, practical and economical, but it isn't as safe as some newer models"

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by Richard Ingram

13 Dec 2018

.polaris__post-meta--date { display: none; } .polaris__post-meta--date.no-script { display: block; padding-left: 45px } 13 Dec 2018

Carbuyer Rating

3.3 out of 5

Owners Rating

4.0 out of 5

Reviews

Owner Reviews

5 out of 5
4 out of 5
3 out of 5
2 out of 5
1 out of 5

68%of people would recommend this car to a friend

Common Problems

Other (13 cases)
Engine (8 cases)
Brakes (2 cases)
Electrics (11 cases)
Engine, Other (1 case)
Suspension (1 case)
Brakes, Electrics (1 case)
Engine, Gearbox / clutch, Suspension (1 case)
Engine, Gearbox / clutch (1 case)
Electrics, Engine (2 cases)
Electrics, Gearbox / clutch (1 case)

Review 1 of 100

Tell us what you think about your car?

An excellent all rounder. Comfortable, reliable, economical and good to drive. Normally I change my car every 3 years but I have yet to find anything better for the money, and I have owned BMW and Mercedes before. Your review claims space is tight but I have never found this a problem. Rear seat adjusts to increase passenger or boot space as required

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Love this car, our second Cmax, first diesel though. Smooth auto box, plenty of punch when needed, handles like a dream. Interior comfort and room great, plenty of storage. In Moondust silver with titanium spec chrome grill, looks like the dogs danglies!!. Simply love the car.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

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Very good car. Pros: computer systems such as bluetooth and cd, radio work really well, engine is very powerful, loads of torque throughout gears, the gearbox is really smooth, the best gearbox I've seen in a manual car. The power steering has to be the best thing, you can really throw this car into corners and forget you're driving an MPV. Cons: Very low mpg compared to figures, achieves only 44mpg on shell v-power and about 40 mpg on normal fuel (go for v-power if you own this car). Hard plastics all around cabin( not nice), also a lot of flimsy bits of plastic all over the place even on the steering wheel the plastic silver bit (looks like ford trying to copy Mercedes) is very flimsy and will flake off on edges. Also our car is on 15k and still mpg is not good, only 50mpg on motorway at 65mph in 6th gear. Best to buy this car second hand as the first 10k miles will be of very few mpg, maybe only 40.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Had our C-MAX for around 8 months so far, it is a company car from new. The 1.6 TDCi has lots of torque and has quite a pull in 2nd and 3rd.. Nice to have 6gears on motorway. I have found the actual MPG to be a way off the advertised figures though, constantly getting around 40mpg around town, and only hits 50-55 on motorways.. nothing like the 60-65 book figures I saw! Driving position is good, but I am tall and tend to hit my left knee on the centre console though.. The audio and hands free system is good and the voice recognition works reasonably well.. Also I am annoyed by the fact the A/C comes on automatically if you put the temp dial all the way to cold, or put the direction to windscreen only, or the fan speed to anything over 2... gets very annoying!! So far only done just over 6k, and no problems or breakdowns yet, reliability seems ok.. Plenty of storage room, and lots of legroom in the back for the kids... We took the family pack which had integrated window blinds and seat back trays in the back which the kids love, and also went for privacy glass.. A good all round family car!

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Yes Green thumbs up

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My version has cruise control fitted, which allowed me to test the stated MPG figures, and I've found that in 5th gear, at 55mph on a motorway the MPG in that scenario was pretty much exactly what the manufacturer stated, 53MPG for open-road. Obviously, how you drive will affect the figures, so I just wanted to debunk others who claim lower mpg figures.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Never had a major problem. The only exception was the air con which later turned out to be a leaking pipe. Best car i have ever had.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

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Only had new battery, tyres, alternator, plugs since having car.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

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Hasn't broken down but brake discs and pads replaced on front

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

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No issues in past 12 months

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

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good after ERG valve was replaced

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

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great, can't fault it so far.

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No Red thumbs down

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no problems at all in the time i have had the car

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

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Total reliablity - no breakdowns or unexpected problems

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

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No problems during first 14000 miles

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

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Would not buy another as fuel economy not as good as my last focus but according to ford this one has a better engine

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

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Average sort of car much as i expected. Useful for carrying diy items.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

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This is the ideal car for a family of 4. Not to good on petrol around town. Has good room and boot space.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

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Excellent handling , economy and comfort

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

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It is a good family car, but now bigger than i need.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

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Excellent for the family which is why i bought it

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

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This is probably the most badly assembled car i've owned. It falls short on luggage space and the back seats cannot acccomdate three booster cushions. I think these are most important for this class of car.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

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Does what it says on the tin. Wouldnt get this car again but like the brand

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

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Gone through a complete set of tyres in about 12months, and seems to take ages to change into top gear ( auto ). Just pleased i don't have to pay for tyres motability car.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

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Practical

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Very good, spacious and easy to drive apart from moving off from standstill when the clutch is snatchy. Handling very good but ride a bit firm.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

I am very pleased with it, and i would like to buy The same car but with the 2 litre diesel engine.and auto box. They are too pricey at present..PITY

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

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Excellent

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

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C max is a nice car but themain issues for me are the headlights which i think are very dim and selecting reverse gear which can take two or more attempts to engage

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

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My C-Max has plagued with constant electrical problems. I've had central locking problems, hill start warnings, traction control warnings, service lights coming on and low washer fluid warning lights. The car has been been back to the main dealer several times and I'm now absolutely fed up with it. Today I took it back again with the washer bottle emptying itself over night, as well as yet another warning light, a service light and the hill start light fault on again. A phone call later from the Ford main dealer stating no faults were found and these faults are not stored on the cars fault list. As for the washer bottle again no fault found yet fill in the evening it's empty again the morning after with water running down the road. I've had several ford cars over the years, no more after this.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Car drives well, good fuel consumption though its a noisy diesel engine, I was told by Ford that it's normal. Still better than the 2009 Nissan Qashqai 2.0-litre petrol automatic I had before. The automatic gearbox is slow at changing gears so the car vibrates, there was also very loud drumming noise at speed, i.e. above 40 mph coming from the rear. My dealer suggested that I turn the radio up. Make sure you test drive on a motorway. I didn't, I got stuck in rush hour traffic.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Brilliant in every respect. Well put together and pleasure to drive. Fuel consumption is bad. Round town you expect and get high 30s to 40 but on a run, motorway or A road you will not exceed 42mpg. Took it to the local dealer who said all was OK and fuel consumption would improve in warmer weather. Did not see that little caveat in the brochure.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

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Moved over from a VW Plus (both cars have higher profile, so easy to get in and out) but have been disappointed with the MPG which is no-where as good as claimed. The gear change is also very clunky (6 gears) and feels like gear changes were about 15 years ago. Also the ride is a bit hard (not uncommon in this day and age in my opinion).

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

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Only owned a short while - it's been fine, other than the reverse lights packing in

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

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always starts, no overall problems apart from wear and tear

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Just replaced EGR valve. First major repair in 5.5 years.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

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No defects in 6 years of ownership - excellent

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

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All equipment on the vehicle has always operated first time without fail. Engine is snmooth and has plenty of torque

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

I've only had the car 4 months. It has been reliable apart from a continual whining noise coming from the turbo, which is appallingly bad and incredibly annoying. Ford say its 'normal'

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

very relaible car

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Never had a problem, apart from with the built in sat nav and that doesn't really count

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

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Teething problems with the onboard computer

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

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Absolutely excellent. No problems except for blocked fuel filter.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

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No problems at all.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

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had no problems at all

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Excellent car. No problems so far. Comfortable and very stable on the road.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

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Good allround practical vehicle

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

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Overall good

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Great, it does all i want

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Good value, basic motoring in reasonable comfort

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

I love it!! This is my second c-max and i would recommend it without hesitation - it's everything i wanted and more.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

A brilliant, economical car which is superb to drive but could do with a bit more family practicality eg rear cup holders.A Minor detail compared with all the good points but only get the diesel versions.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

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Great car, does everything i need, very comfy and great on the motorway

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

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A few very minor design issues but generally well made excellent to drive and very reliable.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

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It has been surprisingly good and would reccomend it to anyone

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?