• Summary

    4 out of 5 4.0

    What does this car say about you?

    That I value substance over style. It really is a boring car to look at, especially in the light blue metallic I have. Ford really dropped the ball in the styling dept. It's not an ugly car but it just blends into the background.

    What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

    If they've been a passenger they like it. It's very comfortable and spacious inside and I usually have it set up for 4 people so the rear-seat occupants have extra room. Other than that it's fairly forgettable from other people's point of view.

    Would you buy this car again and why?

    Yes. It's spacious, practical and very economical. I regularly get 60mpg plus, which is not bad for a large-ish car that's almost 10 years old.

    What are you likely to buy next?

    I've got a company car now so the C-Max will be going, but if I were buying another car myself it'd probably be an S-Max.

  • Buying experience

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Type of dealer you bought from?

    Franchised

    Did you buy this car new?

    No

    What price did you pay?

    £5,500

    When did you buy the car?

    September 2012

    Did you get a good deal and why?

    Yes. It was fairly priced for the age and specification considering it was a Ford Approved Used. We were offered top price for our part-ex too so the whole package was very good value.

    Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

    Was after something a bit more practical than a normal Focus.

    What was the dealer like?

    Usual car dealer. Nothing special. We did have a couple of things that were fixed under warranty without too much hassle.

  • Driving it

    3 out of 5 3.0

    What's it like to drive?

    Surprisingly good. You sit high up and expect it to be rubbish in the corners, but it isn't. You won't take them as fast as Focus hatch, but it handles admirably for a small MPV. Acceleration is good from the 2.0TDCi and the ride is very smooth and good roads but a bit bouncy on back roads.

    What's it like to park?

    Easy. Good visibility and sensors obviously help out. Could do with bigger wing mirrors for added ease. They really are tiny in relation to the size of the vehicle.

  • Living with it

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Have you had any problems with the car?

    A parking sensor failed and there was an issue with a spark plug within the first 3 months. Both were fixed under warranty by the dealer. Since then it hasn't missed a beat (touch wood!).

    What's most practical about your car?

    Space and rear seat configurations. I've moved all sorts of large bits of furniture, etc using this car when in the past I'd have had to get a van. A run to the airport or trip to Costco is no problem even with 5 people onboard. The rear middle seat folds back into the boot (or can be removed completely) and the outer seats can then move back, giving plenty of legroom for two 6ft adults.

    Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

    Parking sensors.