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Ford S-MAX Mk1 (2006-2014) reliability

At a glance

Ford S-MAX Mk1 built around 2014: more dangerous faults than average

Testers find a dangerous fault on Ford S-MAX Mk1 models built around 2014 more often than on similar cars the same age. Look closely at the tyres on any car you view.

Looking at a Ford S-MAX Mk1?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

9% of MOT tests on Ford S-MAX Mk1 models built around 2014 found a fault the tester marked as dangerous, against 7% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Ford S-MAX Mk1 models built around 2014 involves the tyres.

Ford S-MAX Mk1
No reliability rating: too close to call between ratings2006-2014MPVDIESEL / PETROL

Based on 63,306 tests of S-MAX models registered 2006-2014.

About 1 in 15 S-MAX Mk1 MOTs (6.8%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2014 (11 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 9,209 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 10 S-MAX Mk1 MOTs (9.3%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2014 (11 years old).

Based on 9,209 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

Mk1 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
3,55226.7%
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
43234.3%

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.

How the S-MAX Mk1 compares

At each age below, see how the S-MAX Mk1 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 385,712 tests across 15 Ford models, built around 2014 (11 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateFord average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
3,55226.7%
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
43234.3%

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.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Independent inspection

High priority

Have an independent specialist inspect the car before you commit.

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.

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension 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.

Other people carriers to compare

Other people carriers, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the S-MAX Mk1.

  1. 1

    Toyota Estima

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    17.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    3.5%
    Dangerous
    2.9%

    Lower fail rate: 17.4%, against 27.8% for the Ford S-MAX Mk1, both built around 2014.

    1,888 MOT tests on cars built around 2014

  2. 2

    Skoda Roomster

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    21.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    3.1%
    Dangerous
    5.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.4%

    Lower fail rate: 21.8%, against 27.8% for the Ford S-MAX Mk1, both built around 2014.

    3,588 MOT tests on cars built around 2014

  3. 3

    Toyota Verso

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    23.1%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    3.2%
    Dangerous
    5.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90%

    Lower fail rate: 23.1%, against 27.8% for the Ford S-MAX Mk1, both built around 2014.

    3,812 MOT tests on cars built around 2014

  4. 4

    Mercedes-Benz B-Class

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    22.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4%
    Dangerous
    6.1%

    Lower fail rate: 22.3%, against 27.8% for the Ford S-MAX Mk1, both built around 2014.

    6 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    10,540 MOT tests on cars built around 2014

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.

How many are still registered

87%of all Ford S-MAX cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later. This is the whole model, not only this generation.

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

12 of the 45 S-MAX Mk1 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 4 Critical
  • 8 more

Top concerns

  • Takata air bag inflator may rupture on deployment
  • Overheating of the engine cylinder head may cause the cylinder head to crack
  • Clutch pressure plate may fracture

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

Fail rate by engine size, built around 2014 (11 years old)

Engine sizes across all diesel S-MAX tests (not specific to Mk1).

1.4 to 2.0 litres28.1%8,188 tests2.0 to 3.0 litres25.4%731 tests
How S-MAX Mk1 cars have aged

How S-MAX Mk1 cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%30%791113151719Age at MOTBuilt around 2014, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 22.7% (5,473 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2014, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 24.1% (5,499 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2014, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 26.7% (5,549 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2014, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 26.9% (5,322 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2014, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 26.6% (5,083 tests, 2025 data)2014Built around 2013, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 24.5% (5,037 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2013, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 25.6% (4,965 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2013, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 26.5% (4,652 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2013, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 27.2% (4,511 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2013, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 27.3% (4,265 tests, 2025 data)2013Built around 2012, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 26.0% (6,394 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2012, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 25.8% (6,240 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2012, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 27.5% (6,166 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2012, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 26.9% (5,670 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2012, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 29.0% (5,498 tests, 2025 data)2012Built around 2011, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 26.8% (6,108 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2011, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 26.6% (5,880 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2011, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 26.6% (5,591 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2011, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 27.5% (5,237 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2011, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 28.8% (4,979 tests, 2025 data)2011Built around 2010, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 28.1% (7,980 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2010, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 28.2% (7,539 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2010, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 29.4% (6,974 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2010, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 30.4% (6,237 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2010, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 30.9% (5,525 tests, 2025 data)2010Built around 2009, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 30.5% (5,891 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2009, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 29.8% (5,287 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2009, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 31.4% (4,834 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2009, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 32.1% (4,151 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2009, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 31.0% (3,332 tests, 2025 data)2009Built around 2008, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 30.8% (5,933 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2008, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 31.8% (5,370 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2008, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 32.0% (4,548 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2008, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 32.7% (3,645 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2008, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 33.2% (2,909 tests, 2025 data)2008Built around 2007, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 32.9% (6,683 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2007, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 33.3% (5,694 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2007, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 33.6% (4,658 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2007, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 34.9% (3,466 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2007, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 34.4% (2,498 tests, 2025 data)2007Built around 2006, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 35.3% (1,880 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2006, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 34.6% (1,406 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2006, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 35.5% (1,050 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2006, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 34.8% (698 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2006, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 34.3% (432 tests, 2025 data)2006
First registered around 2014First registered around 2013First registered around 2012First registered around 2011
Mk1 variants compared

S-MAX Mk1 variants built around 2014

The fail rate for each S-MAX Mk1 variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Diesel

  • S-MAX27.9%8,910 tests

Petrol

  • S-MAX23.8%290 tests
All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common issues on Ford S-MAX models of this age

This list covers every Ford S-MAX built around 2014, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk1 on its own.

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

    30.6%
    Advisory: 4,269Fail: 364 (8% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    19.4%
    Advisory: 2,471Fail: 515 (17% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    15.9%
    Advisory: 1,495Fail: 298 (17% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

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

    13.2%
    Advisory: 1,628Fail: 32 (2% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Minor

    One of the number plate lights not working

    10.4%
    Advisory: 0Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)

Based on 9,209 tests

Looking at a Ford S-MAX Mk1?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2014 (11 years old), the Ford S-MAX Mk1 (2006-2014) fails MOTs slightly more often than typical for this age. This is based on 9,209 11-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 63,306 MOT tests on Ford S-MAX models first registered between 2006-2014. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.