MOT performance
Ford S-Max MOT pass rate and common failures
Across 151,304 MOT tests of the Ford S-Max in 2023–2024, 64.9% passed first time. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, Ford S-Maxs failed about as often as comparable cars. The most common failure item was “tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm”, on 4.09% of tests.
151,304 MOT tests on 78,005 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
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| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 64.9% | ±0.2 pts (95%), n = 151,304 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 1.03× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00 |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 12.1% | n = 151,304 |
| Average age at test | 10.6 years | n = 151,304 |
| Median mileage at test | 97,686 miles | n = 151,304 |
| Vehicles tested | 78,005 | 2023–2024 |
Where Ford S-Maxs fail
The share of MOT tests that failed on each area, and how that compares with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel. Areas where the difference is large and clear link to their own page.
| Area | Tests failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 14.1% | +1% |
| Tyres | 9.6% | +27% |
| Suspension | 9.5% | -23% |
| Brakes | 7.6% | -13% |
| Body, chassis and structure | 5.9% | +27% |
| Driver's view of the road | 4.7% | -8% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.5% | -5% |
| Steering | 2.9% | +5% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 2.0% | +47% |
| Road wheels | 0.6% | +11% |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.5% | +18% |
| Speedometer and driving controls | 0.0% | +16% |
Ford S-Max MOT pass rate by fuel: diesel vs petrol
Raw pass rates partly reflect how old each fuel's cars are; the adjusted column compares each with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel. Fuels that differ materially from the model as a whole have their own page.
| Fuel | Tests | Average age | First-time pass | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 137,473 | 10.5 yrs | 64.6% | +4% |
| Petrol | 13,772 | 10.8 yrs | 67.7% | -9% |
Most common failure items
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 4.09% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 3.80% |
| Position lamp: not working | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 3.43% |
| Condition: has ply or cords exposed | Tyres | 2.97% |
| Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 2.84% |
| Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | Body, chassis and structure | 2.59% |
| Stop lamp: not working | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 2.40% |
| Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 2.39% |
| Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | Tyres | 1.81% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | Driver's view of the road | 1.69% |
Most common advisories
Advisories are items the tester expects to need attention soon; they don't fail the test.
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 25.61% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 14.71% |
| Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 11.87% |
| Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 10.40% |
| Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened | Suspension | 8.16% |
Pass rate by age
| Age at test (years) | Tests | First-time pass rate | Failures vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-4 | 7,268 | 79.8% | +30% |
| 5-6 | 15,931 | 80.0% | +3% |
| 7-8 | 21,219 | 75.6% | -3% |
| 9-10 | 24,556 | 63.9% | +11% |
| 11-12 | 28,588 | 62.6% | -3% |
| 13-15 | 39,172 | 56.4% | +1% |
| 16+ | 13,049 | 51.6% | +7% |
Pass rate by registration year
| Registered | Tests | First-time pass rate | Failures vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 825 | 81.0% | 1.28× |
| 2020 | 2,345 | 81.8% | 1.23× |
| 2019 | 4,668 | 77.6% | 1.41× |
| 2018 | 4,817 | 80.6% | 1.12× |
| 2017 | 10,618 | 80.2% | 0.97× |
| 2016 | 13,730 | 79.0% | 0.91× |
| 2015 | 6,598 | 72.9% | 1.03× |
| 2014 | 13,200 | 64.2% | 1.18× |
| 2013 | 12,633 | 63.6% | 1.08× |
| 2012 | 14,179 | 62.8% | 1.00× |
| 2011 | 13,136 | 63.3% | 0.92× |
| 2010 | 18,225 | 59.4% | 0.97× |
| 2009 | 12,511 | 54.7% | 1.05× |
| 2008 | 9,919 | 54.8% | 1.02× |
| 2007 | 10,372 | 51.7% | 1.07× |
| 2006 | 3,487 | 50.0% | 1.09× |
Years with fewer tests are shown for completeness; only years with enough tests have their own page.
Compared with similar models
Check a specific Ford S-Max
Enter a UK registration to see that car's own MOT history and what it is likely to cost to own. Your first check is free and shows the vehicle summary and its headline ownership cost. The category-by-category breakdown is part of a paid check.
UK number plate or 17-character VIN
About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.