Ford B-Max: what fails at MOT
60,000 MOT tests on the Ford B-Max in 2024, counted. 29.1% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
29.1% of Ford B-Max tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 26.2%, so the B-Max is about average for its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (10.9% of tests), suspension (6.1% of tests) and tyres (4.9% of tests). It fails on lights and electrics more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 848 | 28.8% | 15.6% | 32,500 23,600 to 46,000 |
| 2017 | 6,362 | 24.6% | 18.2% | 33,100 22,700 to 45,900 |
| 2016 | 7,698 | 23.6% | 21.3% | 39,100 27,300 to 54,100 |
| 2015 | 11,117 | 25.4% | 24.4% | 46,800 33,300 to 63,500 |
| 2014 | 14,301 | 30.4% | 27.7% | 54,700 39,900 to 72,200 |
| 2013 | 16,160 | 34.3% | 30.6% | 61,600 45,600 to 80,700 |
| 2012 | 3,316 | 31.6% | 33.4% | 67,900 50,300 to 86,900 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Ford B-Max tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | B-Max | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics More than most | 10.9% | 6.6% |
| Suspension | 6.1% | 5.6% |
| Tyres | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 3.3% | 2.7% |
| Brakes Less than most | 2.6% | 4.1% |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.8% | 1.8% |
| Steering | 1.1% | 1.3% |
| Body and structure Less than most | 0.8% | 1.7% |
The parts that fail most
- Brake light6.7%
- Tyre3.1%
- Ball joint2.9%
- Coil spring2.3%
- Wipers2.0%
- Tyre tread1.5%
- Headlamp aim1.5%
- Brake pads1.5%
- Headlamp1.4%
- Washers1.2%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Brake light: not working6.3%
- Ball joint: excessively worn2.8%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken2.3%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.9%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.5%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.4%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.0%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.0%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed1.0%
- Tyre pressure warning system: malfunctioning or obviously inoperative1.0%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge14.0%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing8.5%
- Brake pads: wearing thin5.7%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened5.0%
- Coil spring: corroded2.7%
- Brake discs: worn, but not excessively2.2%
- Ball joint: has slight play2.0%
- Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt2.0%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “Do the wipers and washers work properly, and is the windscreen chipped or cracked?”
Check a Ford B-Max's own MOT record
Looking at a B-Max? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.