Small car · 2011–2018 cars
Ford B-Max reliability
The Ford B-Max fails 27.2% of first MOT tests, 22% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 169,896 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Ford B-Max before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 27.2%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 22% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 169,896
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 5,800
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
What this means for buyers
The Ford B-Max is a below-average model for MOT results. Its first-time fail rate is 27.2%. Compared with cars of the same age and mileage, it has 22% more MOT fails, and it ranks 40 of 63 small car models. Lights and electrics are the weakest area, with 85% more fails there than comparable cars.
A below-average model can still be a good buy if you check the right things. Even 2012, the best year, has 9% more MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage. Be most careful with 2018, the weakest year, which has 61% more MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage. On any car, check the stop lamp, the coil spring, the suspension ball joint and the wiper blades first. These are the most common MOT failures on this model.
MOT fail rate by age
How the Ford B-Max ages
Each point is the share of Ford B-Maxs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Ford B-Max | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 10.4% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 16.7% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 20.1% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 21.9% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 23.8% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 26.5% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 30.3% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 33.9% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 34% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 36.5% | 37.3% |
By year
The best and worst Ford B-Max years
2012 cars come out best and 2018 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 B-Max | 2,244 | 21.6% | 61% more fails | 27,283 |
| 2017 B-Max | 18,064 | 21.6% | 50% more fails | 27,990 |
| 2016 B-Max | 22,221 | 21.8% | 29% more fails | 33,994 |
| 2015 B-Max | 31,089 | 23.8% | 18% more fails | 41,808 |
| 2014 B-Max | 40,591 | 28.4% | 20% more fails | 49,620 |
| 2013 B-Max | 46,320 | 32.5% | 20% more fails | 56,507 |
| 2012 B-Max | 9,361 | 32.2% | 9% more fails | 62,290 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Ford B-Max
Its weak spot is lights and electrics: 85% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics13.2%85% above avg
- Suspension7%18% above avg
- Tyres6.1%14% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.1%12% above avg
- Brakes3.2%28% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks2.1%23% above avg
- Steering1.2%2% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure0.9%46% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.7%56% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Stop lamp not working 7.23% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 2
Coil spring fractured or broken 2.74% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 3
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 2.51% of tests
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
- 4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.25% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 5
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.79% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 6
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.66% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 7
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.08% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 8
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.08% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Ford B-Max's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit14.76%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking9.5%
- Brake pads wearing thin7.04%
- Brake disc pitted or scored5.74%
- Child seat limits belt inspection2.67%
- Coil spring showing some corrosion2.66%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Ford B-Max
- 1
Stop lamp not working
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 2
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 3
Suspension ball joint excessively worn
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
- 4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Ford B-Max covers about 5,800 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Petrol84.4%
- Diesel15.6%
- Other0%
- LPG0%
Most common colours
Silver, Blue, Black, White, Red
Average engine size: 1.4 litres.
Compare
How the Ford B-Max compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Ford Fusion | 40.6% | 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Kia Venga | 26% | 15% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Peugeot 206 | 48.5% | 20% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Ford B-Max | 27.2% | 22% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Fiat Punto | 44.5% | 24% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën DS3 | 46% | 51% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| DS3 | 29.1% | 59% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every small car ranked in the small car reliability index, or all Ford models.
Questions
Ford B-Max questions, answered
Is the Ford B-Max reliable?
On MOT results, the Ford B-Max is below average: it fails 27.2% of first MOT tests, 22% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 40 of 63 small car models in our index.
What fails most on a Ford B-Max MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Ford B-Max are stop lamp not working (7.23% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (2.74% of tests), suspension ball joint excessively worn (2.51% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 13.2% of its tests.
Which Ford B-Max year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2012 cars do best (9% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2018 cars do worst (61% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Ford B-Max do a year?
A typical Ford B-Max covers about 5,800 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Ford B-Max before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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