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Ford S-Max reliability

C · Average

MOT pass rates and common problems from 654,464 MOT tests of cars first registered 2006–2021.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
65.3%pass first time
−0.3 ptsvs typical car
Beats 49%of cars
654,464MOT tests

Verdict

The Ford S-Max passes its MOT first time on 65.3% of tests, about the same as a typical car of the same age and mileage (65.6%). That puts it ahead of 49% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2016 S-Max does best (beats 62% of cars) and the 2014 worst (beats 30%).

Of its engines, the 2.0 Petrol does best (beats 57%) and the 1.6 Diesel worst (beats 23%).

Better than average on suspension.

Watch these weak spots

Body & structure1.3×as often as a typical car
Seat belts & airbags1.6×as often as a typical car
Suspension arm bushes2.0×as often as a typical car
Brake pads1.6×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

40%50%60%70%80%90%34567891011121314151617181984%79%72%66%61%58%55%52%53%
Ford S-MaxTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

2006
Beats 44%
2007
Beats 51%
2008
Beats 54%
2009
Beats 48%
2010
Beats 57%
2011
Beats 59%
2012
Beats 48%
2013
Beats 37%
2014
Beats 30%
2015
Beats 45%
2016
Beats 62%
2017
Beats 59%
2018
Beats 41%
2019
Beats 4%
2020
Beats 9%
2021
Beats 4%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel2006–2021481,33966.4%Beats 50%C
1.8 Diesel2006–201044,76154.8%Beats 48%C
2.2 Diesel2008–201442,09063.9%Beats 56%C
1.6 Diesel2011–201534,43564.0%Beats 23%D
2.0 Petrol2006–201731,20165.5%Beats 57%C
1.5 Petrol2016–20197,41979.3%Beats 16%E
2.5 Petrol2006–20086,12360.6%Beats 68%B
1.6 Petrol2011–20126,06665.2%Beats 45%C
2.3 Petrol2010–20101,03059.4%Beats 45%C

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 3.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 9.0% of tests fail on suspension, against 11.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 14.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 15.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 9.5% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 7.3% of tests fail on brakes, against 8.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 14.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 15.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+0.8 ptsTyres: 9.5% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−1.8 ptsBrakes: 7.3% of tests fail on brakes, against 8.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+1.1 ptsSuspension: 9.0% of tests fail on suspension, against 11.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+2.9 ptsExhaust: 3.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+0.4 ptsSuspension: 9.0% of tests fail on suspension, against 11.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 7.3% of tests fail on brakes, against 8.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 9.5% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 14.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 15.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 3.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 14.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 15.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+0.8 ptsTyres: 9.5% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−1.8 ptsBrakes: 7.3% of tests fail on brakes, against 8.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+1.1 ptsSuspension: 9.0% of tests fail on suspension, against 11.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+2.9 ptsExhaust: 3.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+0.4 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Tyres: 9.5% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Lights & electrics
14.2% vs 15.0%
Tyres
9.5% vs 7.6%
Suspension
9.0% vs 11.9%
Brakes
7.3% vs 8.4%
Body & structure
5.2% vs 4.1%
Visibility
4.4% vs 5.4%
Emissions & leaks
3.3% vs 3.8%
Steering
2.7% vs 2.4%
Seat belts & airbags
1.8% vs 1.2%
Wheels
0.6% vs 0.5%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Suspension arm bushes 2.0× typical
    Listen for knocks over speed bumps and feel for wandering or vague steering.
  • Brake pads 1.6× typical
    Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.
  • Exhaust system 1.7× typical
    Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look for heavy corrosion underneath.
  • Tyre damage & cracking
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • Tyre tread depth
    Check every tyre, including the inner edge, has at least 3 mm of tread. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.
  • Sidelights
    Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

50%60%70%80%90%100%0k10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k92%85%78%71%65%60%57%55%
Ford S-MaxTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Tyre damage & cracking5.1%4.0%1.3×
Tyre tread depth4.2%3.4%1.2×
Brake pads3.9%2.5%1.6×
Sidelights3.5%4.0%0.9×
Suspension arm bushes3.0%1.5%2.0×
Brake lights2.9%2.8%1.0×
Headlight aim2.8%3.9%0.7×
Number plate lights2.6%2.0%1.3×
Exhaust system2.3%1.3%1.7×
Headlight bulbs & units2.2%2.7%0.8×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements41.6
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn41.0
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm37.4
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning29.1
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements28.0
A tyre cords visible or damaged27.8
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning26.4
A tyre seriously damaged23.1
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2021 Ford S-Max1 engine79.9% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel1,89379.9%Beats 4%E
2020 Ford S-Max1 engine81.1% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel4,38581.1%Beats 9%E
2019 Ford S-Max2 engines76.8% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel8,75177.5%Beats 7%E
1.5 Petrol2,42574.2%Beats 0%E
2018 Ford S-Max2 engines81.8% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel12,41781.7%Beats 43%C
1.5 Petrol1,37582.4%Beats 31%D
2017 Ford S-Max3 engines81.4% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel33,16581.2%Beats 59%C
1.5 Petrol1,88683.0%Beats 56%C
2.0 Petrol1,20985.0%Beats 73%B
2016 Ford S-Max3 engines80.3% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel48,78080.2%Beats 63%B
2.0 Petrol3,79682.1%Beats 60%C
1.5 Petrol1,73380.0%Beats 41%C
2015 Ford S-Max3 engines75.9% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel25,08676.3%Beats 49%C
1.6 Diesel1,65166.9%Beats 5%E
2.0 Petrol1,07680.0%Beats 58%C
2014 Ford S-Max4 engines69.1% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel40,44369.7%Beats 34%D
1.6 Diesel10,61965.7%Beats 12%E
2.2 Diesel4,80770.2%Beats 37%D
2.0 Petrol1,07373.5%Beats 41%C
2013 Ford S-Max3 engines66.3% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel40,53666.8%Beats 40%C
1.6 Diesel10,07664.1%Beats 24%D
2.2 Diesel3,90467.0%Beats 42%C
2012 Ford S-Max4 engines64.7% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel40,25765.3%Beats 52%C
2.2 Diesel10,08364.4%Beats 47%C
1.6 Diesel8,67262.3%Beats 34%D
1.6 Petrol3,58264.9%Beats 38%D
2011 Ford S-Max5 engines64.1% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel38,67263.9%Beats 60%B
2.2 Diesel8,09364.0%Beats 57%C
2.0 Petrol6,00267.2%Beats 65%B
1.6 Diesel3,41761.1%Beats 43%C
1.6 Petrol2,48465.7%Beats 55%C
2010 Ford S-Max5 engines61.0% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel63,69060.8%Beats 57%C
2.0 Petrol8,14763.2%Beats 60%C
1.8 Diesel6,30557.4%Beats 42%C
2.2 Diesel3,81764.8%Beats 72%B
2.3 Petrol1,03059.4%Beats 45%C
2009 Ford S-Max4 engines56.3% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel42,97855.5%Beats 45%C
2.2 Diesel6,80160.5%Beats 63%B
1.8 Diesel6,77456.7%Beats 48%C
2.0 Petrol1,50558.5%Beats 52%C
2008 Ford S-Max5 engines56.0% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel32,99655.3%Beats 51%C
1.8 Diesel9,78256.9%Beats 57%C
2.2 Diesel4,58557.7%Beats 60%C
2.0 Petrol2,15156.2%Beats 51%C
2.5 Petrol1,01561.8%Beats 69%B
2007 Ford S-Max4 engines54.3% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel35,40554.1%Beats 51%C
1.8 Diesel14,75553.4%Beats 48%C
2.0 Petrol3,86855.4%Beats 51%C
2.5 Petrol3,57759.8%Beats 66%B
2006 Ford S-Max4 engines51.4% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel11,88550.5%Beats 42%C
1.8 Diesel7,14550.6%Beats 42%C
2.0 Petrol2,37451.5%Beats 41%C
2.5 Petrol1,53161.6%Beats 74%B

FAQ

What is the Ford S-Max MOT pass rate?

65.3% of MOT tests on the Ford S-Max were passed first time, based on 654,464 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2006–2021. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 65.6% of the time.

Is the Ford S-Max reliable?

On MOT results it rates C (average): it passes first time less often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 49% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Ford S-Max year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2016 S-Max does best for its age and mileage: it beats 62% of cars on UK roads. The 2014 does worst: it beats 30%.

Which Ford S-Max engine is best?

Across all years, the 2.0 Petrol does best: it beats 57% of cars on UK roads. The 1.6 Diesel does worst: it beats 23%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Ford S-Max?

The most common failure items are tyre damage & cracking, tyre tread depth, brake pads. Compared with similar cars, suspension arm bushes comes up 2.0× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.