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Ford B-MAX reliability by build year

Coverage 2012-20171 named generationMPVDIESEL / PETROL
At a glance

Ford B-MAX built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Ford B-MAX models built around 2018 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Check a Ford B-MAX by number plate

Key figure

23% of MOT tests on Ford B-MAX models built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 22% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Ford B-MAX models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Ford B-MAX's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension springs

Worth checking

Check ride height is even side-to-side and look for cracked or rusted coils.

Lighting

Worth checking

Inspect the lighting carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your B-MAX's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

B-MAX Mk1

Mk1 (2012-2017)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROLDIESEL

22.1% fail rate, built around 2017 (8 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 5 MOTs, 18.7%)

From 8,264 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Ford B-MAX.

See every build year for the Ford B-MAX

By age

Ford B-MAX fail rate by age

This chart combines every Ford B-MAX ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
14526.9%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
3,33823.3%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
8,26422.1%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
10,36621.4%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
14,67023.4%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
18,12326.3%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
14,58827.0%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
1,03726.8%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 12 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Ford B-MAX stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other Ford models

17th of 17

Among the highest fail rates of the 17 Ford models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the highest third

Against other people carriers

24th of 33

24th lowest fail rate of 33 people carriers with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

Close to the middle third

Against the UK average

23.3%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Ford B-MAX models

These issues come from 7-year-old Ford B-MAX models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    16.6%
    Advisory: 783Fail: 36 (4% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    12.1%
    Advisory: 528Fail: 56 (10% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Coil spring corroded

    9.9%
    Advisory: 82Fail: 305 (79% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    9.3%
    Advisory: 298Fail: 54 (15% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Major

    Brake light not working

    6.2%
    Advisory: 97Fail: 142 (59% of the times it was found)

Based on 3,338 MOT tests on 7-year-old Ford B-MAX models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Ford B-MAX models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelEnough data
  1. Brakes + Tyres24%
  2. Suspension + Tyres23%
  3. Other + Tyres19%
  4. Lighting + Tyres16%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 869 MOT tests on Ford B-MAX cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

96%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · About typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

9 recalls in all

1 of the 9 Ford B-MAX recalls covers cars built in these years.

  • 1 recall

Top concerns

  • X-Car powertain control module (PCM) software update

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other people carriers to compare

Other people carriers to compare

  1. 1

    Kia Venga

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    11.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.7%
    Dangerous
    3.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.8%

    Lower fail rate: 11.8%, against 23.3% for the Ford B-MAX, both built around 2018.

    5,255 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Toyota Estima

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    17.7%

    Lower fail rate: 17.7%, against 23.3% for the Ford B-MAX, both built around 2018.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    1,057 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Hyundai ix20

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1%
    Dangerous
    4.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.4%

    Lower fail rate: 12.5%, against 23.3% for the Ford B-MAX, both built around 2018.

    3,239 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Vauxhall Zafira

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    20.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    89.7%

    Lower fail rate: 20.3%, against 23.3% for the Ford B-MAX, both built around 2018.

    3 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    10,737 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Ford B-MAX across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. It has among the highest fail rates of the 17 Ford models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 3,338 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Ford B-MAX ever sold: 70,531 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 3,338 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.