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Ford S-MAX reliability by build year

Coverage 2006-20234 named generationsMPVPETROL / DIESEL / HYBRID ELECTRIC
At a glance

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

Ford S-MAX models built around 2018 fail their MOT a little less often than similar cars the same age.

Check a Ford S-MAX by number plate

Key figure

17% of MOT tests on Ford S-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 S-MAX models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Ford S-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.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

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

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

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 S-MAX's generation

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

S-MAX Mk2

Mk2 (2015-2023)

Average
HYBRID ELECTRICDIESELPETROL

16.8% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

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

From 3,952 MOT tests at this ageView details →
S-MAX Mk1

Mk1 (2006-2014)

Too close to call between ratings
DIESELPETROL

29.0% fail rate, built around 2013 (12 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 26.3%)

From 3,776 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 S-MAX.

See every build year for the Ford S-MAX

Side-by-side

Ford S-MAX generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
Mk2 (2015-2023)
Average
Average16.8%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 3,952 MOT tests at this age
Mk1 (2006-2014)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings29.0%built around 2013 (12 years old)from 3,776 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the S-MAX, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Ford S-MAX fail rate by age

This chart combines every Ford S-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
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
68515.9%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
1,23817.0%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
1,84718.5%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
2,76620.0%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
3,95216.8%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
7,56118.2%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
7,22620.6%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
5,84725.9%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
9,20927.8%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
8,04128.1%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
8,80528.8%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
10,37329.3%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
9,06031.4%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
5,43431.8%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
5,01633.4%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
3,38434.8%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
43434.3%

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 18 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Ford S-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

9th of 17

9th lowest fail rate of 17 Ford models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the middle third

Against other people carriers

10th of 33

10th 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

16.8%

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

Fails about as often as 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 S-MAX models

These issues come from 7-year-old Ford S-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

    26.1%
    Advisory: 1,586Fail: 139 (8% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    18.6%
    Advisory: 772Fail: 156 (17% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    8.0%
    Advisory: 343Fail: 97 (22% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    7.3%
    Advisory: 374Fail: 6 (2% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Number plate worn, but not likely to be misread

    4.0%
    Advisory: 152Fail: 8 (5% of the times it was found)

Based on 3,952 MOT tests on 7-year-old Ford S-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 S-MAX models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Brakes + Tyres41%
  2. Other + Tyres25%
  3. Brakes + Other16%
  4. Lighting + Tyres12%

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

Across 1,174 MOT tests on Ford S-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

87%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% · Fewer than 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

45 recalls in all

22 of the 45 Ford S-MAX recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 6 Critical
  • 16 more

Top concerns

  • 25S54 kuga S-MAX and galaxy - powertrain control module (PCM) software update
  • Takata air bag inflator may rupture on deployment
  • Overheating of the engine cylinder head may cause the cylinder head to crack

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 16.8% for the Ford S-MAX, both built around 2018.

    5,255 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    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 16.8% for the Ford S-MAX, both built around 2018.

    3,239 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Toyota Estima

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    17.7%

    No clear edge over the Ford S-MAX on these figures.

    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

  4. 4

    Vauxhall Zafira

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    20.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    89.7%

    No clear edge over the Ford S-MAX on these figures.

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

    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 S-MAX across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. It has the 9th lowest fail rate of 17 Ford models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 3,952 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 S-MAX ever sold: 90,878 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 3,952 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.