Ford S-Max common problems by mileage
What UK MOT testers flag on the Ford S-Max at each age and mileage, compared with all cars.
In 77,931 UK MOT tests of the Ford S-Max in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is headlamp (not working on dipped beam): recorded on 3.3% of tests of 2019–2021 cars at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km), 11× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: exhaust system (mounting defective) (7.4×); joints (constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt) (6.3×); suspension arm (corroded but not seriously weakened) (5.1×). The most common reasons a Ford S-Max fails its MOT are tyres (tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm); joints (constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt); brake pads (less than 1.5 mm thick).
Last updated: · Source: DVSA anonymised MOT data 2023
What stands out on the Ford S-Max
Parts that MOT testers flag clearly more often on the Ford S-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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Headlamp: not working on dipped beam | MOT fail | 2019–2021 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 3.3% | 0.3% | 11× | 1,831 |
| Exhaust system: mounting defective | Advisory | 2012–2014 | 160k+ mi (257k+ km) | 5.2% | 0.7% | 7.4× | 710 |
| Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | MOT fail | 2012–2014 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 5.7% | 0.9% | 6.3× | 1,973 |
| Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened | Advisory | 2005–2007 | 160k+ mi (257k+ km) | 11% | 2.1% | 5.1× | 2,053 |
| Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | MOT fail | 2011–2013 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 4.1% | 1.4% | 2.9× | 3,544 |
| Coil spring: corroded | Advisory | 2011–2013 | 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) | 13% | 4.2% | 3× | 2,794 |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | MOT fail | 2014–2016 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 3.7% | 1.2% | 3.1× | 1,335 |
| Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases | Advisory | 2006–2008 | 160k+ mi (257k+ km) | 11% | 4% | 2.7× | 3,344 |
Ford S-Max by mileage (2010–2012 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 773 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (19%) | Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (4.3%, 3.9×) |
| 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 2,749 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (23%) | Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.5%, 3.7×) |
| 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 5,357 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (24%) | Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3%, 2.8×) |
| 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 5,814 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (27%) | Coil spring: corroded (13%, 2.5×) |
| 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) | 4,348 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (28%) | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3%, 2.9×) |
| 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) | 2,360 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (28%) | Coil spring: corroded (14%, 2.8×) |
| 160k+ mi (257k+ km) | 1,962 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (27%) | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened (5.6%, 3.7×) |
Ford S-Max by first-use year
| First used | Tests | Biggest stand-out issue |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 1,957 | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (5.1×) |
| 2007 | 5,758 | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (4.8×) |
| 2008 | 5,443 | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (4.3×) |
| 2009 | 6,675 | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (4×) |
| 2010 | 9,480 | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (4×) |
| 2011 | 6,764 | Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (3.9×) |
| 2012 | 7,246 | Exhaust system: mounting defective at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (6.2×) |
| 2013 | 6,384 | Exhaust system: mounting defective at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (7.4×) |
| 2014 | 6,696 | Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (5.5×) |
| 2015 | 3,292 | Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (3.3×) |
| 2016 | 6,875 | Tyres (tread depth): tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (2.5×) |
| 2017 | 5,318 | Tyres (tread depth): tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (2.4×) |
| 2018 | 2,429 | Brake pads: wearing thin at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (2.3×) |
| 2019 | 2,333 | Headlamp: not working on dipped beam at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (6.4×) |
| 2020 | 1,198 | Headlamp: not working on dipped beam at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (11×) |
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 S-Max?
In 77,931 UK MOT tests of the Ford S-Max in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is headlamp (not working on dipped beam): recorded on 3.3% of tests of 2019–2021 cars at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km), 11× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: exhaust system (mounting defective) (7.4×); joints (constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt) (6.3×); suspension arm (corroded but not seriously weakened) (5.1×). The most common reasons a Ford S-Max fails its MOT are tyres (tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm); joints (constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt); brake pads (less than 1.5 mm thick).
Why do Ford S-Maxs fail the MOT?
Across 77,931 MOT tests in 2023, the most common failure items on the Ford S-Max were tyres (tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm) (4.1% of tests); joints (constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt) (5.7% of tests); brake pads (less than 1.5 mm thick) (3.9% of tests).
At what mileage do Ford S-Max problems start?
The clearest Ford S-Max-specific issue, headlamp (not working on dipped beam), peaks against other cars at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) on 2019–2021 cars (3.3% of tests vs 0.3% for all cars that age).
Where does this Ford S-Max data come from?
From the UK government's anonymised MOT test data (DVSA, 2023, Open Government Licence v3.0): 77,931 tests of the Ford S-Max. VinSnap shows the same numbers for your own car's age and mileage in the app.