2009 Ford S-Max · 21,906 MOT tests
2009 Ford S-Max reliability
2009 Ford S-Maxs fail 44.5% of first MOT tests, 4% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 8 of 15 S-Max years (21,906 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Ford S-Maxs: 34.6%)
- 44.5%
- first-time fail rate (all Ford S-Maxs: 34.6%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 4% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 13
- 126,373
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 13
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 21,906
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2009 against the years either side
- 2008 cars: about average for its age (the 2009 car does worse)
- 2010 cars: 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2009 car does worse)
- Weak spot: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 7.7% of tests fail here (27% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: steering, 31% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2009 car carries a 58 plate (January–February 2009), or a 09 plate (March–August 2009), or a 59 plate (September–December 2009).
Common problems
What fails on a 2009 Ford S-Max
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics22.2%
- Suspension16.5%
- Tyres10%
- Brakes9.9%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks7.7%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.3%
- Body, chassis and structure6.2%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 6.06%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Stop lamp not working 5.65%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 3.91%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 3.6%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 3.47%
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
Coil spring fractured or broken 3.21%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (22.88%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (13.01%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (12.54%) · Brake pads wearing thin (12.38%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (8.41%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (7.69%)
Other years
Every Ford S-Max year
The full picture: Ford S-Max reliability. Before you pay for any Ford S-Max, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2009 Ford S-Max reliable?
2009 Ford S-Maxs fail 44.5% of first MOT tests, 4% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 8 of 15 S-Max years (21,906 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2009 Ford S-Max MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (6.06% of tests), stop lamp not working (5.65% of tests), suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn (3.91% of tests).
How many miles should a 2009 Ford S-Max have done?
At its MOT aged about 13, a typical 2009 Ford S-Max shows 126,373 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2009 car?
A car first registered in 2009 carries a 58 plate (January–February 2009), or a 09 plate (March–August 2009), or a 59 plate (September–December 2009).
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