Ford S-max Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Ford S-max car check
Is the Ford S-max reliable? We analysed 1,368,227 real MOT tests across 101,843 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Ford S-max? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Ford S-max is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick and stop lamp not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Ford S-max.
Ford S-max Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Ford S-max. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Ford S-max MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Ford S-max to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Ford S-max Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Ford S-max fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Ford S-max Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Ford S-max models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Ford S-max Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Ford S-max owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Ford S-max MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Ford S-max year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 337 | 84.3% | 16,437 | 26,619 | 38,389 |
| 2021 | 1,954 | 83.3% | 24,415 | 35,148 | 48,941 |
| 2020 | 4,570 | 84.1% | 23,407 | 34,668 | 48,758 |
| 2019 | 12,464 | 81.3% | 27,446 | 39,861 | 55,166 |
| 2018 | 15,507 | 84.8% | 27,887 | 41,600 | 58,486 |
| 2017 | 41,857 | 85.1% | 34,554 | 49,733 | 68,538 |
| 2016 | 61,338 | 83.8% | 35,365 | 52,213 | 73,148 |
| 2015 | 34,949 | 80.7% | 38,386 | 56,952 | 79,608 |
| 2014 | 82,572 | 77.4% | 43,073 | 64,256 | 89,040 |
| 2013 | 89,787 | 76.5% | 46,520 | 69,573 | 95,646 |
| 2012 | 113,136 | 75.9% | 50,559 | 75,817 | 103,722 |
| 2011 | 115,824 | 75.9% | 55,313 | 82,552 | 112,045 |
| 2010 | 184,945 | 74.2% | 54,706 | 83,408 | 114,111 |
| 2009 | 152,055 | 72.1% | 59,120 | 89,496 | 121,465 |
| 2008 | 152,834 | 72.0% | 62,554 | 94,152 | 126,698 |
| 2007 | 202,525 | 71.5% | 62,484 | 94,502 | 127,898 |
| 2006 | 97,526 | 70.6% | 60,069 | 91,240 | 123,599 |
How Long Does a Ford S-max Last?
Based on 101,843 Ford S-max vehicles on UK roads.
Ford S-max Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Ford S-max MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Ford S-max
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
85.1% MOT pass rate from 41,857 tests
70.6% MOT pass rate from 97,526 tests
The best year to buy a used Ford S-max is 2017, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 85.1% across 41,857 tests. The 2006 model year has the lowest pass rate at 70.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Ford S-max Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford S-max THIS CAR | 74.9% | 1,368,227 | 78,805 mi | 20 yrs |
| Ford Fiesta | 72.8% | 33,753,820 | 57,529 mi | 34 yrs |
| Ford Focus | 73.8% | 28,316,889 | 72,500 mi | 27 yrs |
| Ford Transit | 68.7% | 16,371,688 | 100,614 mi | 37 yrs |
| Vauxhall Tigra | 67.3% | 654,705 | 63,269 mi | 31 yrs |
Compared to the Ford Fiesta (72.8% pass rate) and the Ford Focus (73.8% pass rate), the Ford S-max outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Ford S-max you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Ford S-maxShould you buy a used Ford S-max?
The Ford S-max has an overall MOT pass rate of 74.9% across 1,368,227 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Ford S-max are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (26,089 recorded failures), brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (18,704), and stop lamp not working (10,335). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Ford S-max with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Ford S-max owner drives around 8,124 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Ford S-max models stay on UK roads for around 20 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.