Known APK problem
Ford C-MAX I: springs and shock absorbers
On the Ford C-MAX I the APK inspector finds springs and shock absorbers problems 4.1× as often as on cars of the same age: at 13–15 years 4.0%, against about 1.0% nationally.
Window: Oct 2025 – Sep 2026 · Updated: 16 Oct 2026
What is it?
Broken springs or leaking shock absorbers.
How to check it at the viewing
Push each corner down firmly: the car should rebound once. Look for oil on the dampers and whether the car sits level.
Ask the seller: Have the shock absorbers or springs ever been replaced?
By age
Share of inspected Ford C-MAX Is with this defect, compared with all cars of the same age.
| Age | Type | C-MAX I | National | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 – 15 years | A | 2.3% | 2.3% | 1.0× |
| 13 – 15 years | B | 4.0% | 1.0% | 4.1× |
| 13 – 15 years | C | 0.5% | 1.7% | 0.3× |
| 16+ years | A | 3.9% | 2.6% | 1.5× |
| 16+ years | B | 3.0% | 1.2% | 2.5× |
| 16+ years | C | 0.8% | 1.6% | 0.5× |
A = structure, safety or costly mechanics; B = fail, usually simple; C = advisory. An age is missing when this defect is not among the most common there.
Comparable cars at 13–15 years
| Model | Springs and shock absorbers | Vs. national |
|---|---|---|
| Ford C-MAX I | 4.0% | 4.1× |
| Škoda Roomster | 0.7% | 0.3× |
| Opel Zafira Tourer C | 3.7% | 1.7× |
| Opel Meriva A | 1.6% | 0.7× |
| Opel Zafira B | 3.7% | 1.6× |
| Nissan Note I | 5.5% | 2.5× |
Looking at a Ford C-MAX I? Check that car
Enter the plate and see the APK history, open recalls and how this car compares with other Ford C-MAX Is of the same age.
All weak spots of the Ford C-MAX I · Springs and shock absorbers: which models more often · Checklist for this model
Frequently asked questions
Does the Ford C-MAX I often have springs and shock absorbers problems?
Yes, more often than average at the APK. At 13–15 years the inspector found a springs and shock absorbers defect on 4.0% of inspected Ford C-MAX Is, against about 1.0% of all cars of the same age (4.1×). Source: RDW Open Data, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026.
How do you check the springs and shock absorbers on a used Ford C-MAX I?
Push each corner down firmly: the car should rebound once. Look for oil on the dampers and whether the car sits level.
Repair indication: small, medium or large. An indication of the usual repair, not a quote: the real cost depends on the car, the cause and the garage.
Source: RDW Open Data (CC0), analysis CarXray.nl. 6,857,004 inspected passenger cars aged 3 years and older, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026. Each car counts once. How we know