Ford B-Max common problems by mileage
What UK MOT testers flag on the Ford B-Max at each age and mileage, compared with all cars.
In 54,806 UK MOT tests of the Ford B-Max in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is stop lamp (not working): recorded on 6.6% of tests of 2017–2019 cars at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km), 22× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: seat belts and airbags (webbing slightly damaged or frayed) (18×); coil spring (fractured or broken) (14×); ball joint (ball joint excessively worn) (4.9×). The most common reasons a Ford B-Max fails its MOT are stop lamp (not working); coil spring (fractured or broken); ball joint (ball joint excessively worn).
Last updated: · Source: DVSA anonymised MOT data 2023
What stands out on the Ford B-Max
Parts that MOT testers flag clearly more often on the Ford B-Max than on all cars of the same age at the same mileage (at least 1.5× the rate and 3% of tests).
| Issue | Type | First used | Mileage | Share of tests | All cars this age | Ratio | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stop lamp: not working | MOT fail | 2017–2019 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 6.6% | 0.3% | 22× | 3,226 |
| Seat belts and airbags (condition): webbing slightly damaged or frayed | Advisory | 2011–2013 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 3.6% | 0.2% | 18× | 3,517 |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | MOT fail | 2017–2019 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 7% | 0.5% | 14× | 3,226 |
| Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn | MOT fail | 2013–2015 | 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 9.8% | 2% | 4.9× | 1,035 |
| Ball joint: ball joint has slight play | Advisory | 2013–2015 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 3.8% | 1.2% | 3.2× | 8,176 |
| Coil spring: corroded | Advisory | 2013–2015 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 6.3% | 2.3% | 2.7× | 3,404 |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | MOT fail | 2016–2018 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 4.7% | 1.6% | 2.9× | 857 |
| Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil | Advisory | 2011–2013 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 3.9% | 1.7% | 2.3× | 3,517 |
Ford B-Max by mileage (2013–2015 cars)
The most-tested first-use years. For each mileage band: how many MOT tests, the most common item, and the item that stands out most against other cars.
| Mileage | Tests | Most common | Stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 1,883 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (11%) | Brake pads: wearing thin (3.7%, 1.9×) |
| 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 10,263 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (14%) | Stop lamp: not working (7.5%, 6.3×) |
| 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 12,805 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (17%) | Stop lamp: not working (8.8%, 5.5×) |
| 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 8,176 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (21%) | Stop lamp: not working (9.8%, 5.2×) |
| 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 3,404 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (22%) | Stop lamp: not working (10%, 5×) |
| 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 1,035 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (24%) | Stop lamp: not working (11%, 5×) |
| 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) | 308 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (28%) | Seat belts and airbags (condition): webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.8%, 16×) |
Ford B-Max by first-use year
| First used | Tests | Biggest stand-out issue |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 2,981 | Seat belts and airbags (condition): webbing slightly damaged or frayed at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (18×) |
| 2013 | 14,984 | Seat belts and airbags (condition): webbing slightly damaged or frayed at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (15×) |
| 2014 | 13,108 | Seat belts and airbags (condition): webbing slightly damaged or frayed at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (16×) |
| 2015 | 9,964 | Stop lamp: not working at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (8×) |
| 2016 | 7,243 | Stop lamp: not working at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (10×) |
| 2017 | 5,832 | Stop lamp: not working at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (15×) |
| 2018 | 692 | Stop lamp: not working at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (22×) |
How these numbers are made
From the DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2023: every normal MOT test of a car in Great Britain, with its mileage and every advisory and failure item. For each first-use year (pooled with the years either side) and 20,000-mile band we count the share of tests where a part was recorded, and compare it with the same share for every car of that age at that mileage. A cell is shown only with 300 or more tests. Advisories are tester notes, not failures. Figures describe UK-market cars; engines and equipment can differ in other countries.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA anonymised MOT data, 2023).
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the Ford B-Max?
In 54,806 UK MOT tests of the Ford B-Max in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is stop lamp (not working): recorded on 6.6% of tests of 2017–2019 cars at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km), 22× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: seat belts and airbags (webbing slightly damaged or frayed) (18×); coil spring (fractured or broken) (14×); ball joint (ball joint excessively worn) (4.9×). The most common reasons a Ford B-Max fails its MOT are stop lamp (not working); coil spring (fractured or broken); ball joint (ball joint excessively worn).
Why do Ford B-Maxs fail the MOT?
Across 54,806 MOT tests in 2023, the most common failure items on the Ford B-Max were stop lamp (not working) (8.2% of tests); coil spring (fractured or broken) (4.7% of tests); ball joint (ball joint excessively worn) (6.6% of tests).
At what mileage do Ford B-Max problems start?
The clearest Ford B-Max-specific issue, stop lamp (not working), peaks against other cars at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) on 2017–2019 cars (6.6% of tests vs 0.3% for all cars that age).
Where does this Ford B-Max data come from?
From the UK government's anonymised MOT test data (DVSA, 2023, Open Government Licence v3.0): 54,806 tests of the Ford B-Max. VinSnap shows the same numbers for your own car's age and mileage in the app.