2010 Ford S-Max · 31,447 MOT tests
2010 Ford S-Max reliability
2010 Ford S-Maxs fail 39.7% of first MOT tests, 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 3 of 15 S-Max years (31,447 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Ford S-Maxs: 34.6%)
- 39.7%
- first-time fail rate (all Ford S-Maxs: 34.6%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 4% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 13
- 116,232
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 13
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 31,447
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2010 against the years either side
- 2009 cars: 4% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2010 car does better)
- 2011 cars: 9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2010 car does worse)
- Weak spot: seat belts and airbags, 2.6% of tests fail here (68% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: suspension, 34% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2010 car carries a 59 plate (January–February 2010), or a 10 plate (March–August 2010), or a 60 plate (September–December 2010).
Common problems
What fails on a 2010 Ford S-Max
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics18.4%
- Suspension10.9%
- Tyres9.4%
- Brakes7.9%
- Body, chassis and structure6.6%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks5.4%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.6%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 5.14%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 3.73%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 3.48%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 3.08%
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
Registration plate lamp not working 3.02%
A dark number plate lamp makes the plate hard to read at night, which is illegal and must be fixed.
Tyre ply or cords exposed 2.85%
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (23.36%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (12.15%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (12.14%) · Brake pads wearing thin (12.1%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (11.49%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (6.56%)
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 2010 Ford S-Max reliable?
2010 Ford S-Maxs fail 39.7% of first MOT tests, 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 3 of 15 S-Max years (31,447 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2010 Ford S-Max MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (5.14% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (3.73% of tests), suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn (3.48% of tests).
How many miles should a 2010 Ford S-Max have done?
At its MOT aged about 13, a typical 2010 Ford S-Max shows 116,232 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2010 car?
A car first registered in 2010 carries a 59 plate (January–February 2010), or a 10 plate (March–August 2010), or a 60 plate (September–December 2010).
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