2009 Ford C-MAX 1.6L Petrol · NG09 GZX

The roadworthiness profile of this 2009 Ford C-MAX is defined by an unbroken sequence of clean MOT passes stretching back through the recorded history, with the most recent test on 23 June 2025 returning a pass and no advisories or defects recorded. Notably, the same date also shows a failure entry, which is a common DVSA administrative occurrence when a vehicle initially presents with a defect that is rectified on the same day and then immediately retested; the absence of any defect text on that failure confirms the issue was minor and remedied in situ, leaving the overall mechanical signal unaffected. Across five consecutive annual tests from 2022 through 2025, the vehicle has presented no recurring advisories for brake wear, suspension deterioration, corrosion, exhaust integrity, or any structural concerns. For a 17-year-old people carrier, this consistency points to a structurally sound chassis with no progressive rust patterns forming at the common Ford C-MAX trouble spots such as the rear axle, subframe mounting points, or inner wheel arches. The recorded mileage of 98,681 against a 2009 manufacture date equates to an average annual accumulation of roughly 5,800 miles, which sits well below the typical mileage band for a vehicle of this age and class. This pattern is consistent with a car that has spent extended periods off the public road between uses, possibly covering short urban journeys, or one that has served as a secondary household vehicle. Mechanically, lower annual mileage generally reduces wear on major drivetrain components, clutch friction material, and high-cycle items such as the dual-mass flywheel, which is a known vulnerability on Ford Focus and C-MAX diesel and larger petrol applications. Conversely, extended standing periods can bring their own risks, including moisture accumulation inside the brake calipers, corrosion seizing on the handbrake mechanism, and drying of rubber suspension and drivetrain seals. The MOT test record itself does not flag any of these as having manifested, but the gap between annual tests combined with low mileage means some age-related degradation may not yet have surfaced in the inspection record. For a prospective buyer, the absence of any flagged components limits the advisory-driven inspection list, but the age and mileage profile warrant focused attention to areas that commonly catch out low-mileage C-MAX examples after their fifth or sixth year in service. On a test drive, pay particular attention to the behaviour of the brake pedal: any significant judder under light or moderate braking would suggest front disc warping, which is common on vehicles that have sat idle allowing surface corrosion to pit the friction faces unevenly. Listen for clonks or knocks from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven tarmac, as the lower wishbone bushes, anti-roll bar drop links, and front coil springs are known wear items on this platform and may not have been exercised enough to flag in a short MOT roller test. Steering should feel precise without vibration through the wheel at speed, and any vagueness or knocking on full lock would point to worn track rod ends or steering rack deterioration that the test would not necessarily catch without specific physical inspection. Under the bonnet, the 1.6 or 1.8 petrol and 1.6 TDCi units fitted to this generation C-MAX are worth a careful look despite no defects appearing in the record. Check for oil misting or staining around the cam cover and rocker cover gasket areas, which on the Zetec engines often develops beyond 80,000 miles and can lead to oil consumption creeping up over time. On the diesel variants, inspect the condition of the dual-mass flywheel behaviour during slow take-offs in first and second gear; any shudder or rattle indicates the flywheel is nearing the end of its service life and represents a significant replacement cost. The water pump, thermostat housing, and plastic coolant elbows on the 1.6 TDCi are also worth a visual check for staining or weeping. Finally, examine the rear suspension carefully for any sign of corrosion on the trailing arms and the coil spring seats, as these are common structural advisory points on C-MAX examples tested in coastal or winter-salted regions, and would be the most likely area for the next advisory to surface on this otherwise clean record.