Ford S-Max: what fails at MOT
102,000 MOT tests on the Ford S-Max in 2024, counted. 34.1% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
34.1% of Ford S-Max tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 30.7%, so the S-Max does worse than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (9.7% of tests), suspension (6.6% of tests) and tyres (6.6% of tests). It fails on tyres and body and structure 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,563 | 17.4% | 10.9% | 27,900 20,000 to 38,900 |
| 2020 | 2,298 | 16.2% | 11.5% | 32,700 22,800 to 45,500 |
| 2019 | 3,304 | 24.6% | 13.4% | 41,800 31,800 to 55,200 |
| 2018 | 3,065 | 19.0% | 15.6% | 49,600 38,500 to 63,900 |
| 2017 | 7,200 | 19.0% | 18.2% | 62,400 49,700 to 76,500 |
| 2016 | 9,266 | 20.5% | 21.3% | 68,800 54,700 to 85,300 |
| 2015 | 4,351 | 27.6% | 24.4% | 76,600 62,000 to 94,300 |
| 2014 | 8,599 | 35.0% | 27.7% | 88,800 72,200 to 109,200 |
| 2013 | 8,488 | 36.8% | 30.6% | 97,700 80,800 to 118,200 |
| 2012 | 9,419 | 35.8% | 33.4% | 106,600 88,300 to 128,600 |
| 2011 | 8,772 | 35.2% | 36.1% | 117,400 97,200 to 141,000 |
| 2010 | 11,942 | 40.5% | 38.6% | 122,500 101,900 to 145,400 |
| 2009 | 7,950 | 45.7% | 39.8% | 133,500 111,200 to 155,800 |
| 2008 | 6,471 | 44.9% | 41.5% | 140,600 117,900 to 165,600 |
| 2007 | 6,635 | 46.8% | 41.5% | 143,100 120,700 to 167,700 |
| 2006 | 2,251 | 47.2% | 42.4% | 141,800 118,400 to 167,400 |
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 S-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 | S-Max | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 9.7% | 8.9% | |
| Suspension | 6.6% | 7.5% | |
| Tyres | 6.6% | 4.6% | More than most |
| Brakes | 5.2% | 5.2% | |
| Body and structure | 4.1% | 2.8% | More than most |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 3.2% | 3.3% | |
| Exhaust and emissions | 2.4% | 2.5% | |
| Steering | 2.1% | 1.6% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre4.5%
- Tyre tread2.9%
- Brake pads2.7%
- Side light2.6%
- Suspension pins and bushes2.2%
- Headlamp aim2.1%
- Number plate light1.9%
- Driveshaft joint1.9%
- Headlamp1.9%
- Exhaust system1.7%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm2.7%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.6%
- Side light: not working2.4%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.0%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed2.0%
- Driveshaft joint: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.8%
- Number plate light: inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps1.7%
- Brake light: not working1.5%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.3%
- Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play1.1%
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 edge19.8%
- Brake pads: wearing thin10.0%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened8.0%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement7.5%
- Coil spring: corroded5.8%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive4.8%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing4.1%
- Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt4.1%
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
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “Is there any corrosion underneath or around the sills and arches?”
- “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?”
Check a Ford S-Max's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll 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.