2014 Ford Grand C-MAX 1.6L Diesel · AF14 TZC

A notable mechanical concern in this Ford's MOT record is the brake-related failure recorded at the 2023-03-27 test, where the front inner brake pads were found to be less than 1.5 mm thick with lipped discs, and at the same inspection the rear pads were already flagged as wearing thin. A tyre pressure monitoring system major defect was also issued on that date. While the subsequent two tests in 2025 and 2026 both returned clean passes with no advisories, the brake wear pattern from early 2023 warrants scrutiny. Brake components on a C-MAX of this generation, particularly the caliper slide pins and the rear drum or disc mechanisms depending on specification, can progress unevenly, and lipping on the front discs suggests the pads were allowed to wear down to the metal backing on the inner edge, a condition that may indicate sticking or seized caliper guides. A prospective buyer should have the front discs measured for thickness and run-out, and the calipers inspected for free sliding movement rather than assuming the clean 2025 and 2026 results indicate the issue has been resolved. The recorded mileage of 58,333 miles across roughly twelve years equates to an annual accumulation of around 4,860 miles, which is low for the vehicle's age. The MOT records show consistent annual testing from 2019 through 2026 with no significant gaps in road presence, suggesting the car has been in regular use rather than laid up for extended periods. Low annual mileage of this nature generally results in less wear on major drivetrain components such as the engine, gearbox and clutch, but it can accelerate deterioration of items that degrade with age rather than use, including rubber suspension bushes, engine and gearbox mountings, coolant hoses, and brake hydraulic seals that can stiffen or perish through inactivity. Given the brake pad failure recorded in 2023 despite this modest usage, the wear pattern may point more toward component quality or infrequent short journeys that do not allow the brakes to fully dry and clear surface corrosion. On a physical inspection, particular attention should be given to the front brake calipers for binding or uneven pad wear, and the discs should be checked for a sharp lip on the inner edge that would confirm whether new discs were fitted after the 2023 failure or whether the originals were machined. The rear brake condition should also be examined given the wearing thin advisory issued at the same time. With a 2021 advisory noting tyre damage and cracking, the current tyres should be inspected for sidewall perishing and age-related hardening, especially on a low-mileage vehicle where tyres may have been fitted for many years without covering sufficient distance to wear through. The offside mirror cover damage flagged in both 2023 entries should also be confirmed as repaired, as damaged mirror housings on this model can affect the fold-back mechanism and the integrated turn indicator lens. During a test drive, listen for any clonking or knocking from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven surfaces, which would suggest worn anti-roll bar drop links or control arm bushes, both known wear items on the C-Max platform at this age. The steering should be checked for pulling to one side under braking, which can indicate a sticking brake caliper, and for any vibration through the steering wheel at higher speeds that could point to warped front discs. The dual clutch Powershift automatic gearbox, if fitted to this vehicle, should be observed for any shudder, hesitation or reluctance to engage when cold, as these units are known for mechatronic and clutch pack issues that would not necessarily show in an MOT test. Finally, the tyre pressure monitoring system flagged in 2023 should be verified as functional, as a persistent warning light could indicate a faulty sensor or, more concerning, an underlying issue with the system that may not have been resolved.