MPV and people carrier · 2001–2021 cars

Ford S-Max reliability

The Ford S-Max fails 34.6% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, based on 257,268 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

About averageReliability score 48/100#20 of 49 mpv and people carriers

Checking a Ford S-Max before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 34.6%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 2% more; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 257,268; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 9,600; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The Ford S-Max is about average for reliability when compared with cars of the same age and mileage. Its first-time MOT fail rate is 34.6%, against 28.4% for all cars, and it ranks 20 of 49 mpv and people carrier models. Some years are better than others. A 2016 car had 10% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage, while 2019 cars had 58% more, so the year you buy matters.

Seat belts and airbags are the weakest area, with 52% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage, so test them carefully. Before you buy, check the tyres for tread below 1.6mm and exposed ply or cords, the brake pads for wear below 1.5mm, and that every position lamp works. A good service history and a pre-purchase inspection will help you spot these issues early.

MOT fail rate by age

How the Ford S-Max ages

Each point is the share of Ford S-Maxs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

Ford S-MaxAll cars

Ford S-Max first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Ford S-Max	All cars
3	17.6%	12.3%
4	19.2%	14.1%
5	19.5%	16.4%
6	19.4%	19.1%
7	23.1%	22.1%
8	29.3%	25.5%
9	34.7%	28.8%
10	35.8%	31.8%
11	37%	34.6%
12	38.1%	37.3%
13	40.6%	39.5%
14	44.6%	41.1%
15	47%	42.3%
16	46.7%	42.9%
17	49.5%	43.4%
18	47.7%	43.5%

By year

The best and worst Ford S-Max years

2016 cars come out best and 2019 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Ford S-Max MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2021	627	18.3%	40% more fails	32,348
2020 S-Max	2,546	16.3%	24% more fails	32,202
2019 S-Max	6,296	22.9%	58% more fails	37,331
2018 S-Max	7,950	18.3%	16% more fails	40,979
2017 S-Max	17,839	18.8%	2% fewer fails	53,701
2016 S-Max	23,099	19.8%	10% fewer fails	60,669
2015 S-Max	10,946	26%	3% more fails	69,085
2014 S-Max	21,977	34.1%	16% more fails	80,960
2013 S-Max	21,386	35.6%	9% more fails	90,049
2012 S-Max	24,064	35.8%	1% fewer fails	99,780
2011 S-Max	22,480	35.6%	9% fewer fails	110,531
2010 S-Max	31,447	39.7%	4% fewer fails	116,232
2009 S-Max	21,906	44.5%	4% more fails	126,373
2008 S-Max	18,136	44.7%	1% more fails	134,437
2007 S-Max	19,583	47.3%	4% more fails	137,498
2006 S-Max	6,981	49.5%	8% more fails	136,615

Common problems

What fails most on a Ford S-Max

Its weak spot is seat belts and airbags: 52% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Lights and electrics14%3% below avg
Suspension9.4%22% below avg
Tyres9.4%26% above avg
Brakes7.4%13% below avg
Body, chassis and structure5.8%29% above avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.6%11% below avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.4%15% below avg
Steering2.8%9% above avg
Seat belts and airbags1.9%52% above avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 3.55% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
2
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 3.29% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
3
Position lamp not working 3.01% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
4
Tyre ply or cords exposed 2.58% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
5
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 2.56% of tests
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
6
CV joint boot split or insecure 2.22% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
7
Stop lamp not working 2.2% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
8
Registration plate lamp not working 2.02% of tests
A dark number plate lamp makes the plate hard to read at night, which is illegal and must be fixed.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Ford S-Max's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit22.2%
Brake pads wearing thin12.67%
Brake disc pitted or scored10.36%
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear9.16%
Coil spring showing some corrosion6.84%
Child seat limits belt inspection5.85%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Ford S-Max

1
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
2
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
3
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
4
Tyre ply or cords exposed
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
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 S-Max covers about 9,600 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

Diesel91%
Petrol9%
Hybrid0%
LPG0%
Electric0%

Most common colours

Silver, Black, Grey, Blue, White

Average engine size: 2.0 litres.

Compare

How the Ford S-Max compares with its rivals

Ford S-Max against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Volkswagen Touran	32.9%	6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Ford C-Max	30%	about average for its age
Ford S-Max	34.6%	about average for its age
Ford Galaxy	36.9%	8% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Ford Grand C-Max	31%	15% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Vauxhall Meriva	37.1%	16% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Renault Scenic	44.1%	27% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every mpv and people carrier ranked in the mpv and people carrier reliability index, or all Ford models.

Questions

Ford S-Max questions, answered

Is the Ford S-Max reliable?

On MOT results, the Ford S-Max is about average: it fails 34.6% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage. It ranks 20 of 49 mpv and people carrier models in our index.

What fails most on a Ford S-Max MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Ford S-Max are tyre tread below 1.6mm (3.55% of tests), brake pads worn below 1.5mm (3.29% of tests), position lamp not working (3.01% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 14% of its tests.

Which Ford S-Max year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2016 cars do best (10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2019 cars do worst (58% more MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Ford S-Max do a year?

A typical Ford S-Max covers about 9,600 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 S-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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